Is Dover or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Dover is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 80/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 834 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 60% lower. Dover has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Dover has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 41.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dover — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dover, NH
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dover | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 833.9 | 2,082.4 | -1,248.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 47.5 | 412.4 | -364.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 29.7 | 21.4 | +8.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 17.8 | 310.9 | -293.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 786.4 | 1,670.0 | -883.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 59.4 | 187.4 | -128.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 706.3 | 1,087.1 | -380.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 20.8 | 395.5 | -374.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dover or San Diego safer?
Dover is safer with a total crime rate of 834 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dover has a violent crime rate of 47.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Dover has lower violent crime.
About Dover, NH
Dover, New Hampshire, the oldest continuous settlement in the state, sits on the Cocheco River. This city of over 30,000 residents is part of Strafford County. With a safety score of 80/100 and a population coverage of 33,696, Dover has a total crime rate of 833.9 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.