Is Falls Church or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Falls Church is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 52/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,622 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 22% lower. Falls Church has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Falls Church has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 93.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Falls Church — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Falls Church, VA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Falls Church | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,621.5 | 2,082.4 | -460.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 101.3 | 412.4 | -311.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 21.4 | -21.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 47.3 | 77.4 | -30.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 54.1 | 310.9 | -256.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,520.2 | 1,670.0 | -149.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 81.1 | 187.4 | -106.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,331.0 | 1,087.1 | +243.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 108.1 | 395.5 | -287.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Falls Church or San Diego safer?
Falls Church is safer with a total crime rate of 1,622 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 22% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Falls Church has a violent crime rate of 101.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Falls Church has lower violent crime.
About Falls Church, VA
Falls Church, Virginia, an independent city since 1948, is a small, densely populated urban area in Northern Virginia. Its historic Falls Church Episcopal church dates to the 1700s, and it's known for its suburban charm and proximity to Washington D.C. With a safety score of 52/100 and a population coverage of 14,801, Falls Church has a total crime rate of 1,621.5 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.