Is Ferndale or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ferndale is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 49/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 18% lower. Ferndale has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ferndale has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 85.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ferndale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ferndale, WA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ferndale | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,706.3 | 2,082.4 | -376.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 104.3 | 412.4 | -308.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 24.6 | 21.4 | +3.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 12.3 | 77.4 | -65.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 67.5 | 310.9 | -243.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,601.9 | 1,670.0 | -68.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 233.2 | 187.4 | +45.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,295.0 | 1,087.1 | +207.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 73.7 | 395.5 | -321.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ferndale or San Diego safer?
Ferndale is safer with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ferndale has a violent crime rate of 104.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Ferndale has lower violent crime.
About Ferndale, WA
Nestled on the Nooksack River, Ferndale, WA is a town of over 13,000 residents, known for its historic Pioneer Park. The town's early economy was driven by timber and agriculture. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 16,293, Ferndale has a total crime rate of 1,706.3 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.