Is Flagstaff or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Flagstaff (Safety Score 38/100 vs 24/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,698 for Flagstaff — 23% lower. Flagstaff has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 61% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 18.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Flagstaff — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Flagstaff, AZ
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Flagstaff | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,697.8 | 2,082.4 | +615.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 465.8 | 412.4 | +53.4 |
| Murder Rate | 6.5 | 2.5 | +4.0 |
| Rape Rate | 70.7 | 21.4 | +49.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 53.6 | 77.4 | -23.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 332.3 | 310.9 | +21.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,232.0 | 1,670.0 | +562.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 123.0 | 187.4 | -64.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,970.4 | 1,087.1 | +883.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 138.7 | 395.5 | -256.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flagstaff or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,698 for Flagstaff — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Flagstaff has a violent crime rate of 465.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, Arizona, a city with a rich railroad history, sits at an elevation of 7,000 feet near the San Francisco Peaks. It's home to Northern Arizona University, a major employer. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 76,433, Flagstaff has a total crime rate of 2,697.8 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.