Is Lake Stevens or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Stevens is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 83/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 766 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 63% lower. Lake Stevens has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake Stevens has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 33.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake Stevens — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Stevens, WA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Stevens | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 765.9 | 2,082.4 | -1,316.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 117.1 | 412.4 | -295.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 34.2 | 21.4 | +12.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.1 | 77.4 | -60.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 65.9 | 310.9 | -245.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 648.8 | 1,670.0 | -1,021.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 53.7 | 187.4 | -133.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 504.9 | 1,087.1 | -582.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 90.2 | 395.5 | -305.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Stevens or San Diego safer?
Lake Stevens is safer with a total crime rate of 766 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Stevens has a violent crime rate of 117.1 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Lake Stevens has lower violent crime.
About Lake Stevens, WA
Lake Stevens, a city named for Isaac Stevens, first governor of Washington Territory, sits on the largest lake in Snohomish County. This community, home to over 36,000 residents, is bordered by the Snohomish River to the south. With a safety score of 83/100 and a population coverage of 41,000, Lake Stevens has a total crime rate of 765.9 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.