Is Lexington or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Lexington (Safety Score 38/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,457 for Lexington — 40% lower. Lexington has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 83% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 69.8x 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, NC
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lexington | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,457.5 | 2,082.4 | +1,375.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 437.2 | 412.4 | +24.8 |
| Murder Rate | 15.1 | 2.5 | +12.6 |
| Rape Rate | 40.2 | 21.4 | +18.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 77.4 | +8.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 296.5 | 310.9 | -14.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,020.3 | 1,670.0 | +1,350.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 643.3 | 187.4 | +455.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,050.4 | 1,087.1 | +963.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 326.7 | 395.5 | -68.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lexington or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,457 for Lexington — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lexington has a violent crime rate of 437.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Lexington, NC
Lexington, a city in Davidson County, is renowned as the "Barbecue Capital of the World." Situated in North Carolina's Piedmont Triad, it's a small city with a population just under 20,000. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 19,899, Lexington has a total crime rate of 3,457.5 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.