Is Lewiston or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lewiston is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 56/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,504 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 28% lower. Lewiston has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lewiston has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 39.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lewiston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lewiston, ID
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lewiston | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,504.2 | 2,082.4 | -578.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 191.2 | 412.4 | -221.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 65.7 | 21.4 | +44.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 11.4 | 77.4 | -66.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 114.2 | 310.9 | -196.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,312.9 | 1,670.0 | -357.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 291.1 | 187.4 | +103.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 887.7 | 1,087.1 | -199.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 134.2 | 395.5 | -261.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lewiston or San Diego safer?
Lewiston is safer with a total crime rate of 1,504 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lewiston has a violent crime rate of 191.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Lewiston has lower violent crime.
About Lewiston, ID
Lewiston, the "Gate City" at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, is the lowest elevation city in Idaho. It's home to Lewis-Clark State College, with a population around 35,000. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 35,036, Lewiston has a total crime rate of 1,504.2 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.