Is Lawrence or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lawrence is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 59/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,439 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 31% lower. Lawrence has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 68% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 15.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lawrence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lawrence, MA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lawrence | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,438.6 | 2,082.4 | -643.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 439.7 | 412.4 | +27.4 |
| Murder Rate | 7.8 | 2.5 | +5.3 |
| Rape Rate | 31.3 | 21.4 | +9.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 52.5 | 77.4 | -24.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 348.2 | 310.9 | +37.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 998.9 | 1,670.0 | -671.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 72.5 | 187.4 | -114.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.6 | 1,087.1 | -235.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 74.8 | 395.5 | -320.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lawrence or San Diego safer?
Lawrence is safer with a total crime rate of 1,439 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lawrence has a violent crime rate of 439.7 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Lawrence, MA
Lawrence, a Merrimack Valley city, was once a thriving textile hub, home to the historic Bread and Roses Strike. Today, it is a diverse community with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 59/100 and a population coverage of 89,600, Lawrence has a total crime rate of 1,438.6 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.