Is Forest Lake or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Forest Lake is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 53/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 23% lower. Forest Lake has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Forest Lake has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 67.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Forest Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Forest Lake, MN
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Forest Lake | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,595.7 | 2,082.4 | -486.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 120.9 | 412.4 | -291.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 19.3 | 21.4 | -2.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 4.8 | 77.4 | -72.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 96.7 | 310.9 | -214.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,474.9 | 1,670.0 | -195.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 187.4 | -32.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,213.7 | 1,087.1 | +126.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 106.4 | 395.5 | -289.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forest Lake or San Diego safer?
Forest Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Forest Lake has a violent crime rate of 120.9 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Forest Lake has lower violent crime.
About Forest Lake, MN
Forest Lake, MN, a northern suburb of St. Paul, was once a popular resort town. Situated around the lake of the same name, its population was 20,612 as of 2020. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 20,680, Forest Lake has a total crime rate of 1,595.7 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.