Is Lawton or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Lawton (Safety Score 38/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,473 for Lawton — 40% lower. Lawton has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 75% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 15.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lawton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lawton, OK
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lawton | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,473.1 | 2,082.4 | +1,390.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 820.3 | 412.4 | +407.9 |
| Murder Rate | 10.0 | 2.5 | +7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 143.0 | 21.4 | +121.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 72.1 | 77.4 | -5.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 595.3 | 310.9 | +284.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,652.7 | 1,670.0 | +982.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 931.2 | 187.4 | +743.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,491.0 | 1,087.1 | +403.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 230.6 | 395.5 | -165.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lawton or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,473 for Lawton — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lawton has a violent crime rate of 820.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Lawton, OK
Lawton, Oklahoma, is home to Fort Sill, a significant U.S. Army post with a rich history. Located in southwestern Oklahoma, the city is the county seat of Comanche County and a regional hub for the surrounding rural areas. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 90,209, Lawton has a total crime rate of 3,473.1 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.