Is Fayetteville or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Fayetteville (Safety Score 38/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,756 for Fayetteville — 45% lower. Fayetteville has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 80% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 6.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fayetteville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fayetteville, NC
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fayetteville | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,755.8 | 2,082.4 | +1,673.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 661.1 | 412.4 | +248.8 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 2.5 | +9.9 |
| Rape Rate | 32.9 | 21.4 | +11.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 101.0 | 77.4 | +23.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 513.9 | 310.9 | +203.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,094.6 | 1,670.0 | +1,424.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 387.2 | 187.4 | +199.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,349.2 | 1,087.1 | +1,262.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 358.2 | 395.5 | -37.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fayetteville or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,756 for Fayetteville — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fayetteville has a violent crime rate of 661.1 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Fayetteville, NC
Fayetteville, NC, is a historic city in the Sandhills region, renowned as home to Fort Liberty. Its diverse population, with a significant military presence, contributes to a unique cultural landscape in Cumberland County. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 209,945, Fayetteville has a total crime rate of 3,755.8 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.