Is Lakewood or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Lakewood (Safety Score 38/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 5,884 for Lakewood — 65% lower. Lakewood has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where San Diego has a 67% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 8.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lakewood — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lakewood, CO
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lakewood | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,883.8 | 2,082.4 | +3,801.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 790.4 | 412.4 | +378.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.6 | 2.5 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 59.7 | 21.4 | +38.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 137.9 | 77.4 | +60.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 587.0 | 310.9 | +276.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,093.4 | 1,670.0 | +3,423.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 588.3 | 187.4 | +400.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,732.0 | 1,087.1 | +2,644.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 773.1 | 395.5 | +377.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lakewood or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 5,884 for Lakewood — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lakewood has a violent crime rate of 790.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Lakewood, CO
Lakewood, Colorado, a city of over 150,000 residents, emerged from the historic Villa Park, annexed in 1955. It spans a diverse landscape at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, west of Denver. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 155,868, Lakewood has a total crime rate of 5,883.8 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.