Is Bristol or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Bristol (Safety Score 38/100 vs 32/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,325 for Bristol — 10% lower. Bristol has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bristol has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 49.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bristol — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bristol, TN
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bristol | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 2,082.4 | +242.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 366.8 | 412.4 | -45.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 32.1 | 21.4 | +10.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 21.4 | 77.4 | -56.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 309.8 | 310.9 | -1.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,958.6 | 1,670.0 | +288.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 309.8 | 187.4 | +122.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,509.9 | 1,087.1 | +422.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 138.9 | 395.5 | -256.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bristol or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,325 for Bristol — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bristol has a violent crime rate of 366.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Bristol has lower violent crime.
About Bristol, TN
Bristol, Tennessee, straddling the Virginia state line, is the "Birthplace of Country Music." This Appalachian town in Sullivan County is home to approximately 27,000 residents. With a safety score of 32/100 and a population coverage of 28,082, Bristol has a total crime rate of 2,325.3 per 100,000 residents.
About San Diego, CA
San Diego, California, a major port city with a significant Hispanic population, sits on the Pacific Ocean just north of the Mexican border. Known for its mild climate and Balboa Park, it's also home to a large naval presence. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 1,389,024, San Diego has a total crime rate of 2,082.4 per 100,000 residents.