Is Cary or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cary is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 60/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,389 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 33% lower. Cary has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Cary has a 84% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 7.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cary — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cary, NC
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cary | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,388.9 | 2,082.4 | -693.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 71.5 | 412.4 | -340.9 |
| Murder Rate | 1.7 | 2.5 | -0.9 |
| Rape Rate | 6.6 | 21.4 | -14.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 12.7 | 77.4 | -64.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 50.1 | 310.9 | -260.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,317.4 | 1,670.0 | -352.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 88.6 | 187.4 | -98.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,110.6 | 1,087.1 | +23.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 118.3 | 395.5 | -277.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cary or San Diego safer?
Cary is safer with a total crime rate of 1,389 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cary has a violent crime rate of 71.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Cary has lower violent crime.
About Cary, NC
Cary, NC, a large town in the Research Triangle region, began as a railroad town. It consistently ranks among the most educated communities in the U.S., attracting a diverse, affluent population. With a safety score of 60/100 and a population coverage of 181,793, Cary has a total crime rate of 1,388.9 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.