Is Fairbanks or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Fairbanks (Safety Score 38/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,167 for Fairbanks — 50% lower. Fairbanks has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 60% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 43.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fairbanks — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fairbanks, AK
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fairbanks | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,167.2 | 2,082.4 | +2,084.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 704.0 | 412.4 | +291.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.3 | 2.5 | +3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 120.0 | 21.4 | +98.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 132.6 | 77.4 | +55.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 438.8 | 310.9 | +127.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,463.2 | 1,670.0 | +1,793.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 296.8 | 187.4 | +109.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,847.6 | 1,087.1 | +1,760.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 318.9 | 395.5 | -76.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fairbanks or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,167 for Fairbanks — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fairbanks has a violent crime rate of 704.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Fairbanks, AK
Fairbanks, Alaska, a city founded on gold mining, sits just 190 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Its population of roughly 32,000 residents experiences extreme seasonal light variations, from near-total darkness to the midnight sun. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 31,676, Fairbanks has a total crime rate of 4,167.2 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.