Is Fitchburg or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fitchburg is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 46/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,831 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 12% lower. Fitchburg has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Fitchburg has a 54% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 32.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fitchburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fitchburg, MA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fitchburg | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,830.8 | 2,082.4 | -251.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 486.6 | 412.4 | +74.3 |
| Murder Rate | 2.4 | 2.5 | -0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 40.2 | 21.4 | +18.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 35.4 | 77.4 | -42.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 408.7 | 310.9 | +97.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,344.1 | 1,670.0 | -325.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 271.7 | 187.4 | +84.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 952.0 | 1,087.1 | -135.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 120.5 | 395.5 | -275.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fitchburg or San Diego safer?
Fitchburg is safer with a total crime rate of 1,831 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fitchburg has a violent crime rate of 486.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Fitchburg, MA
Fitchburg, a city in northern Worcester County, was a major mill town known for its paper industry. It sits along the Nashua River and has a diverse, working-class population. With a safety score of 46/100 and a population coverage of 42,332, Fitchburg has a total crime rate of 1,830.8 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.