Is Lacey or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Lacey (Safety Score 38/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,655 for Lacey — 22% lower. Lacey has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lacey has a 56% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 23.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lacey — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lacey, WA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lacey | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,654.9 | 2,082.4 | +572.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 186.9 | 412.4 | -225.5 |
| Murder Rate | 3.4 | 2.5 | +0.9 |
| Rape Rate | 20.4 | 21.4 | -1.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 34.0 | 77.4 | -43.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 129.1 | 310.9 | -181.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,468.1 | 1,670.0 | +798.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 380.5 | 187.4 | +193.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,883.8 | 1,087.1 | +796.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 203.8 | 395.5 | -191.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lacey or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,655 for Lacey — a 22% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lacey has a violent crime rate of 186.9 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Lacey has lower violent crime.
About Lacey, WA
Lacey, Washington, a suburban city in Thurston County, is known for its many parks and proximity to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Once a timber town, it now boasts a diverse population and a significant retail presence. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 58,872, Lacey has a total crime rate of 2,654.9 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.