Is Federal Way or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Federal Way (Safety Score 38/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,918 for Federal Way — 58% lower. Federal Way has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where San Diego has a 62% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 14.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Federal Way — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Federal Way, WA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Federal Way | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,917.7 | 2,082.4 | +2,835.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 545.4 | 412.4 | +133.0 |
| Murder Rate | 5.2 | 2.5 | +2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 51.7 | 21.4 | +30.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 150.1 | 77.4 | +72.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 338.4 | 310.9 | +27.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,372.3 | 1,670.0 | +2,702.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 573.3 | 187.4 | +385.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,655.5 | 1,087.1 | +1,568.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,143.5 | 395.5 | +748.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Federal Way or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,918 for Federal Way — a 58% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Federal Way has a violent crime rate of 545.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Federal Way, WA
Federal Way, a Puget Sound city, was once home to extensive timber operations. This diverse community, part of King County, is now a bustling suburban hub with a significant Asian population. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 96,631, Federal Way has a total crime rate of 4,917.7 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.