Is Lake City or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake City is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 99/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 221 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 89% lower. Lake City has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 109.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake City, FL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake City | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 220.6 | 2,082.4 | -1,861.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 15.8 | 412.4 | -396.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 21.4 | -21.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 15.8 | 310.9 | -295.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 204.9 | 1,670.0 | -1,465.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 47.3 | 187.4 | -140.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 157.6 | 1,087.1 | -929.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 0.0 | 395.5 | -395.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake City or San Diego safer?
Lake City is safer with a total crime rate of 221 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 89% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake City has a violent crime rate of 15.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Lake City has lower violent crime.
About Lake City, FL
Lake City, Florida, a North Florida town, was once known as "Bandana" for its Confederate sympathies. Situated at the intersection of I-75 and I-10, it's the county seat of Columbia County, home to over 60,000 residents. With a safety score of 99/100 and a population coverage of 12,691, Lake City has a total crime rate of 220.6 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.