Is Grand Rapids or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Grand Rapids (Safety Score 38/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,391 for Grand Rapids — 39% lower. Grand Rapids has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 59% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 7.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Grand Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MI
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,390.8 | 2,082.4 | +1,308.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 910.1 | 412.4 | +497.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 2.5 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 21.4 | +68.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.4 | 77.4 | +39.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.8 | 310.9 | +386.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,480.7 | 1,670.0 | +810.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.5 | 187.4 | +80.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,828.9 | 1,087.1 | +741.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 384.4 | 395.5 | -11.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,391 for Grand Rapids — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 910.1 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids, Michigan, a city on the Grand River, is known as "Furniture City" due to its rich manufacturing history. It's the second-largest city in Michigan, with a diverse population. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 195,913, Grand Rapids has a total crime rate of 3,390.8 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.