Is Lackawanna or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lackawanna is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 42/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,955 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 6% lower. Lackawanna has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 51% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 71.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lackawanna — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lackawanna, NY
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lackawanna | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,955.5 | 2,082.4 | -127.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 395.2 | 412.4 | -17.2 |
| Murder Rate | 5.1 | 2.5 | +2.6 |
| Rape Rate | 46.2 | 21.4 | +24.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 41.1 | 77.4 | -36.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 302.8 | 310.9 | -8.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,560.3 | 1,670.0 | -109.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 184.8 | 187.4 | -2.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,190.7 | 1,087.1 | +103.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 184.8 | 395.5 | -210.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lackawanna or San Diego safer?
Lackawanna is safer with a total crime rate of 1,955 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lackawanna has a violent crime rate of 395.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Lackawanna has lower violent crime.
About Lackawanna, NY
Lackawanna, NY, historically a steel town, sits on Lake Erie just south of Buffalo. Its population is diverse, with a significant Arab-American community. With a safety score of 42/100 and a population coverage of 19,484, Lackawanna has a total crime rate of 1,955.5 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.