Is Lancaster or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Lancaster (Safety Score 38/100 vs 28/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,531 for Lancaster — 18% lower. Lancaster has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 79% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 33.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lancaster — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lancaster, OH
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lancaster | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,530.8 | 2,082.4 | +448.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 405.4 | 412.4 | -7.0 |
| Murder Rate | 12.0 | 2.5 | +9.5 |
| Rape Rate | 86.4 | 21.4 | +65.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 16.8 | 77.4 | -60.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 290.3 | 310.9 | -20.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,125.4 | 1,670.0 | +455.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 194.3 | 187.4 | +6.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,808.7 | 1,087.1 | +721.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 122.3 | 395.5 | -273.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lancaster or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,531 for Lancaster — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lancaster has a violent crime rate of 405.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Lancaster has lower violent crime.
About Lancaster, OH
Lancaster, Ohio, founded in 1800, is a city in Fairfield County known for being the birthplace of General William Tecumseh Sherman. Situated along the Hocking River, its population hovers around 40,000 residents. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 41,687, Lancaster has a total crime rate of 2,530.8 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.