Is Leicester or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Leicester is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 75/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 976 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 53% lower. Leicester has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Leicester has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 123.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Leicester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Leicester, MA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Leicester | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 975.6 | 2,082.4 | -1,106.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 310.4 | 412.4 | -102.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 26.6 | 21.4 | +5.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 8.9 | 77.4 | -68.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 274.9 | 310.9 | -36.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 665.2 | 1,670.0 | -1,004.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 79.8 | 187.4 | -107.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 558.8 | 1,087.1 | -528.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 26.6 | 395.5 | -368.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Leicester or San Diego safer?
Leicester is safer with a total crime rate of 976 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 53% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Leicester has a violent crime rate of 310.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Leicester has lower violent crime.
About Leicester, MA
Leicester, Massachusetts, home to Becker College until its 2021 closure, is a small town in Worcester County. Its rural character is reflected in its numerous ponds and woodlands. With a safety score of 75/100 and a population coverage of 11,275, Leicester has a total crime rate of 975.6 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.