Is Lansing or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Lansing (Safety Score 38/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,845 for Lansing — 46% lower. Lansing has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 74% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 12.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lansing — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lansing, MI
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lansing | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,845.0 | 2,082.4 | +1,762.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,346.0 | 412.4 | +933.6 |
| Murder Rate | 9.8 | 2.5 | +7.3 |
| Rape Rate | 104.5 | 21.4 | +83.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 96.5 | 77.4 | +19.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,134.3 | 310.9 | +823.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,499.0 | 1,670.0 | +829.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 421.6 | 187.4 | +234.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,429.0 | 1,087.1 | +341.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 648.4 | 395.5 | +252.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lansing or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,845 for Lansing — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lansing has a violent crime rate of 1,346.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Lansing, MI
Lansing, Michigan's capital, is a diverse city bisected by the Grand River. Home to Michigan State University, it blends government and academic influences with a developing urban core. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 111,965, Lansing has a total crime rate of 3,845.0 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.