Is Lewiston or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lewiston is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 47/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,773 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 15% lower. Lewiston has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Lewiston has a 41% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 35.8x 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, ME
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lewiston | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,773.5 | 2,082.4 | -308.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 244.5 | 412.4 | -167.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.6 | 2.5 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 66.9 | 21.4 | +45.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 59.2 | 77.4 | -18.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 115.8 | 310.9 | -195.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,529.0 | 1,670.0 | -141.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 164.7 | 187.4 | -22.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,245.8 | 1,087.1 | +158.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 118.4 | 395.5 | -277.1 |
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 1,773 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lewiston has a violent crime rate of 244.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Lewiston has lower violent crime.
About Lewiston, ME
Lewiston, Maine, a former mill town on the Androscoggin River, is known for its Franco-American heritage and the Bates College campus. It's Maine's second-largest city by population. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 38,850, Lewiston has a total crime rate of 1,773.5 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.