Is Great Falls or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Great Falls (Safety Score 38/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,001 for Great Falls — 48% lower. Great Falls has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Great Falls has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 23.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Great Falls — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Great Falls, MT
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Great Falls | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,000.7 | 2,082.4 | +1,918.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 574.4 | 412.4 | +162.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 89.4 | 21.4 | +68.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.4 | 77.4 | -31.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 438.6 | 310.9 | +127.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,426.4 | 1,670.0 | +1,756.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 397.3 | 187.4 | +209.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,810.6 | 1,087.1 | +1,723.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 218.5 | 395.5 | -177.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Great Falls or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,001 for Great Falls — a 48% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Great Falls has a violent crime rate of 574.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Great Falls, MT
Great Falls, Montana, a city bisected by the Missouri River, holds the only remaining intact Black Eagle Dam, a marvel of early hydroelectric engineering. This community, the third largest in Montana, is known for its proximity to Malmstrom Air Force Base. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 60,414, Great Falls has a total crime rate of 4,000.7 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.