Is Las Vegas or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Las Vegas (Safety Score 38/100 vs 37/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,122 for Las Vegas — 2% lower. Las Vegas has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 68% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 108.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Las Vegas — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Las Vegas, NM
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Las Vegas | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,122.4 | 2,082.4 | +39.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 655.4 | 412.4 | +243.1 |
| Murder Rate | 7.8 | 2.5 | +5.3 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 21.4 | +2.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 39.0 | 77.4 | -38.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 585.2 | 310.9 | +274.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,466.9 | 1,670.0 | -203.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 249.7 | 187.4 | +62.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,108.0 | 1,087.1 | +20.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 109.2 | 395.5 | -286.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Las Vegas or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,122 for Las Vegas — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Las Vegas has a violent crime rate of 655.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Las Vegas, NM
Las Vegas, NM, a city with a rich Wild West past and over 900 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, sits at 6,431 feet in elevation. Its diverse population reflects a blend of Hispanic and Anglo cultures. With a safety score of 37/100 and a population coverage of 12,816, Las Vegas has a total crime rate of 2,122.4 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.