Is Lexington or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lexington is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 96/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 387 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 81% lower. Lexington has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lexington has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 40.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lexington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lexington, MA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lexington | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 387.2 | 2,082.4 | -1,695.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 52.4 | 412.4 | -360.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 8.7 | 21.4 | -12.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 2.9 | 77.4 | -74.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 40.8 | 310.9 | -270.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 334.8 | 1,670.0 | -1,335.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 52.4 | 187.4 | -135.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 273.7 | 1,087.1 | -813.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 8.7 | 395.5 | -386.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lexington or San Diego safer?
Lexington is safer with a total crime rate of 387 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 81% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lexington has a violent crime rate of 52.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Lexington has lower violent crime.
About Lexington, MA
Lexington, MA, a town of approximately 34,000 residents, is famously where the first shots of the American Revolutionary War were fired. Located in Middlesex County, it's a affluent suburban community northwest of Boston. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 34,350, Lexington has a total crime rate of 387.2 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.