Is Chelsea or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Chelsea (Safety Score 38/100 vs 30/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,415 for Chelsea — 14% lower. Chelsea has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where San Diego has a 58% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 36.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chelsea — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chelsea, MA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chelsea | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,414.7 | 2,082.4 | +332.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 978.9 | 412.4 | +566.6 |
| Murder Rate | 5.2 | 2.5 | +2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 80.9 | 21.4 | +59.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 120.1 | 77.4 | +42.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 772.7 | 310.9 | +461.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,435.8 | 1,670.0 | -234.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 148.8 | 187.4 | -38.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,151.2 | 1,087.1 | +64.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 135.8 | 395.5 | -259.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chelsea or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,415 for Chelsea — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chelsea has a violent crime rate of 978.9 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Chelsea, MA
Chelsea, a dense urban gateway city across the Mystic River from Boston, boasts a rich immigrant history. Settled in 1624, it was once home to a vibrant industrial port and is now Massachusetts' smallest city by land area. With a safety score of 30/100 and a population coverage of 38,307, Chelsea has a total crime rate of 2,414.7 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.