Is Hays or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hays is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 50/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,694 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 19% lower. Hays has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Hays has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 66.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hays — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hays, KS
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hays | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,694.4 | 2,082.4 | -388.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 233.2 | 412.4 | -179.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 57.1 | 21.4 | +35.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.5 | 77.4 | -67.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 166.6 | 310.9 | -144.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,461.1 | 1,670.0 | -208.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 171.3 | 187.4 | -16.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,218.4 | 1,087.1 | +131.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 71.4 | 395.5 | -324.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hays or San Diego safer?
Hays is safer with a total crime rate of 1,694 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hays has a violent crime rate of 233.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Hays has lower violent crime.
About Hays, KS
Hays, Kansas, once a frontier outpost for Fort Hays, is a city in Ellis County with a population of around 21,000. Located on I-70 in the High Plains, it's home to Fort Hays State University. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 21,011, Hays has a total crime rate of 1,694.4 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.