Is Brookline or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Brookline is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 74/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 995 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 52% lower. Brookline has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Brookline has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 21.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Brookline — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brookline, MA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Brookline | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 995.0 | 2,082.4 | -1,087.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 99.8 | 412.4 | -312.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 4.7 | 21.4 | -16.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 15.6 | 77.4 | -61.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 79.5 | 310.9 | -231.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 895.2 | 1,670.0 | -774.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 85.8 | 187.4 | -101.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 784.4 | 1,087.1 | -302.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 25.0 | 395.5 | -370.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brookline or San Diego safer?
Brookline is safer with a total crime rate of 995 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Brookline has a violent crime rate of 99.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Brookline has lower violent crime.
About Brookline, MA
Brookline, Massachusetts, a town surrounded by Boston, is home to the historic Coolidge Corner Theatre. This affluent community, with a significant Jewish population, boasts tree-lined streets and a dense, educated populace. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 64,122, Brookline has a total crime rate of 995.0 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.