Is Key West or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Key West (Safety Score 38/100 vs 26/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,612 for Key West — 20% lower. Key West has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Key West has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 56.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Key West — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Key West, FL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Key West | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,611.7 | 2,082.4 | +529.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 352.3 | 412.4 | -60.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 52.6 | 21.4 | +31.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 32.4 | 77.4 | -45.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 267.2 | 310.9 | -43.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,259.4 | 1,670.0 | +589.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 214.6 | 187.4 | +27.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,988.1 | 1,087.1 | +901.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 56.7 | 395.5 | -338.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Key West or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,612 for Key West — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Key West has a violent crime rate of 352.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Key West has lower violent crime.
About Key West, FL
Key West, a remote island city, is the southernmost point in the continental U.S. and home to Ernest Hemingway's former residence. Its transient population often includes a mix of tourists and long-term residents. With a safety score of 26/100 and a population coverage of 24,697, Key West has a total crime rate of 2,611.7 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.