Is Dayton or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Dayton (Safety Score 38/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 5,673 for Dayton — 63% lower. Dayton has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 92% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 10.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dayton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dayton, OH
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dayton | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,673.4 | 2,082.4 | +3,591.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,339.2 | 412.4 | +926.8 |
| Murder Rate | 29.7 | 2.5 | +27.1 |
| Rape Rate | 116.4 | 21.4 | +95.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 252.9 | 77.4 | +175.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 940.3 | 310.9 | +629.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,334.2 | 1,670.0 | +2,664.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 859.4 | 187.4 | +672.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,144.5 | 1,087.1 | +1,057.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,330.3 | 395.5 | +934.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dayton or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 5,673 for Dayton — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dayton has a violent crime rate of 1,339.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Dayton, OH
Dayton, birthplace of aviation, is a mid-sized city in southwest Ohio. Nestled in the Miami Valley, its population is diverse, with a notable manufacturing legacy. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 134,857, Dayton has a total crime rate of 5,673.4 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.