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Key West vs San Diego Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Key West crime rate · San Diego crime rate

Moving from Key West, FL to San Diego, CA?

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Is Key West or San Diego Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 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.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Key West, FL?

Key West — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

San Diego — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Key West, FL

Key West, FL
Safety Score 26/100
Coverage 24,697
Total Crime Rate 2,611.7
Category Wins 4/7

San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA
Safety Score 38/100
Coverage 1,389,024
Total Crime Rate 2,082.4
Category Wins 3/7

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.

Moving from Key West, FL to San Diego, CA?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

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.

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