Is Erie or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Erie (Safety Score 38/100 vs 33/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,305 for Erie — 10% lower. Erie has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 53% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 15.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Erie — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Erie, PA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Erie | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,304.6 | 2,082.4 | +222.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 375.6 | 412.4 | -36.8 |
| Murder Rate | 5.4 | 2.5 | +2.9 |
| Rape Rate | 41.1 | 21.4 | +19.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 67.1 | 77.4 | -10.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 262.0 | 310.9 | -49.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,929.0 | 1,670.0 | +259.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 194.9 | 187.4 | +7.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,645.4 | 1,087.1 | +558.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 88.8 | 395.5 | -306.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Erie or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,305 for Erie — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Erie has a violent crime rate of 375.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Erie has lower violent crime.
About Erie, PA
Erie, a Rust Belt city on Lake Erie's southern shore, is home to the historic Presque Isle State Park. Its economy historically revolved around manufacturing and shipping. With a safety score of 33/100 and a population coverage of 92,379, Erie has a total crime rate of 2,304.6 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.