Is Lake Wales or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Wales is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 47/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,772 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 15% lower. Lake Wales has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake Wales has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 82.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake Wales — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Wales, FL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Wales | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,772.4 | 2,082.4 | -310.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 243.9 | 412.4 | -168.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 23.8 | 21.4 | +2.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.8 | 77.4 | -59.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 202.2 | 310.9 | -108.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,528.6 | 1,670.0 | -141.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 190.3 | 187.4 | +2.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,189.6 | 1,087.1 | +102.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 148.7 | 395.5 | -246.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Wales or San Diego safer?
Lake Wales is safer with a total crime rate of 1,772 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Wales has a violent crime rate of 243.9 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Lake Wales has lower violent crime.
About Lake Wales, FL
Lake Wales, home to Bok Tower Gardens, sits in Polk County, Florida. This city in the geographic center of the state has a population of around 17,000. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 16,813, Lake Wales has a total crime rate of 1,772.4 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.