Is Fargo or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Fargo (Safety Score 38/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,195 for Fargo — 50% lower. Fargo has higher rates in 1 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where San Diego has a 55% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 10.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fargo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fargo, ND
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fargo | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,195.1 | 2,082.4 | +2,112.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 498.2 | 412.4 | +85.8 |
| Murder Rate | 4.4 | 2.5 | +1.9 |
| Rape Rate | 102.5 | 21.4 | +81.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 77.4 | +0.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 314.0 | 310.9 | +3.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,696.9 | 1,670.0 | +2,026.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 741.4 | 187.4 | +554.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,600.9 | 1,087.1 | +1,513.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 354.5 | 395.5 | -41.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fargo or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,195 for Fargo — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fargo has a violent crime rate of 498.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Fargo, ND
Fargo, North Dakota, a city of over 120,000, sits on the Red River of the North, forming a metropolitan area with Moorhead, Minnesota. Home to North Dakota State University, it's a regional hub for agriculture and technology. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 135,682, Fargo has a total crime rate of 4,195.1 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.