Is Burien or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Burien (Safety Score 38/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,820 for Burien — 45% lower. Burien has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where San Diego has a 53% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 27.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Burien — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Burien, WA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Burien | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,819.7 | 2,082.4 | +1,737.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 425.3 | 412.4 | +12.9 |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 2.5 | +1.5 |
| Rape Rate | 65.6 | 21.4 | +44.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 163.0 | 77.4 | +85.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 192.8 | 310.9 | -118.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,394.4 | 1,670.0 | +1,724.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 576.3 | 187.4 | +388.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,752.9 | 1,087.1 | +665.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,065.2 | 395.5 | +669.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burien or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,820 for Burien — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Burien has a violent crime rate of 425.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Burien, WA
Burien, a Puget Sound city, was once nicknamed "Booburb" for its growth. It's home to a diverse population, with a significant Hispanic community, and offers views of the Olympic Mountains. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 50,318, Burien has a total crime rate of 3,819.7 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.