Is Duluth or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Duluth (Safety Score 38/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,175 for Duluth — 34% lower. Duluth has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 68% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 15.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Duluth — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Duluth, MN
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Duluth | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,174.9 | 2,082.4 | +1,092.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 220.5 | 412.4 | -191.9 |
| Murder Rate | 8.0 | 2.5 | +5.4 |
| Rape Rate | 46.6 | 21.4 | +25.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.5 | 77.4 | -39.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 127.3 | 310.9 | -183.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,954.4 | 1,670.0 | +1,284.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 275.0 | 187.4 | +87.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,555.6 | 1,087.1 | +1,468.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 123.9 | 395.5 | -271.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Duluth or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,175 for Duluth — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Duluth has a violent crime rate of 220.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Duluth has lower violent crime.
About Duluth, MN
Duluth, a port city on Lake Superior, boasts the world's longest freshwater sandbar, Park Point. Its economy historically tied to shipping and steel, the city is a regional hub for healthcare and higher education, home to over 86,000 residents. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 88,003, Duluth has a total crime rate of 3,174.9 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.