Is Lake Havasu City or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Havasu City is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 48/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,751 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 16% lower. Lake Havasu City has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake Havasu City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 23.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake Havasu City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Havasu City, AZ
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Havasu City | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,751.3 | 2,082.4 | -331.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 357.3 | 412.4 | -55.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 48.4 | 21.4 | +27.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 13.4 | 77.4 | -64.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 293.8 | 310.9 | -17.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,394.0 | 1,670.0 | -276.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 233.7 | 187.4 | +46.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,070.2 | 1,087.1 | -16.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 90.2 | 395.5 | -305.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Havasu City or San Diego safer?
Lake Havasu City is safer with a total crime rate of 1,751 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Havasu City has a violent crime rate of 357.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Lake Havasu City has lower violent crime.
About Lake Havasu City, AZ
Lake Havasu City, home to the London Bridge, is a desert city in Arizona's Mohave County. Its population swells with winter visitors and spring break revelers, drawn to the Colorado River and surrounding recreational lands. With a safety score of 48/100 and a population coverage of 59,898, Lake Havasu City has a total crime rate of 1,751.3 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.