Is Lima or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Lima (Safety Score 38/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,130 for Lima — 50% lower. Lima has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 85% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 40.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lima — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lima, OH
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lima | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,130.0 | 2,082.4 | +2,047.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 761.2 | 412.4 | +348.8 |
| Murder Rate | 17.4 | 2.5 | +14.9 |
| Rape Rate | 133.1 | 21.4 | +111.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 78.1 | 77.4 | +0.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 529.6 | 310.9 | +218.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,368.8 | 1,670.0 | +1,698.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 671.5 | 187.4 | +484.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,454.3 | 1,087.1 | +1,367.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 243.1 | 395.5 | -152.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lima or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,130 for Lima — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lima has a violent crime rate of 761.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Lima, OH
Lima, Ohio, a city in Allen County, was once a major railroad hub. Situated along the Ottawa River, its population is around 35,000. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 34,552, Lima has a total crime rate of 4,130.0 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.