Is Los Alamos or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Alamos is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 93/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 459 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 78% lower. Los Alamos has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Los Alamos has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 70.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Los Alamos — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Alamos, NM
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Alamos | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 459.0 | 2,082.4 | -1,623.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 61.2 | 412.4 | -351.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 10.2 | 21.4 | -11.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 45.9 | 310.9 | -265.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 397.8 | 1,670.0 | -1,272.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 35.7 | 187.4 | -151.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 300.9 | 1,087.1 | -786.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 61.2 | 395.5 | -334.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Alamos or San Diego safer?
Los Alamos is safer with a total crime rate of 459 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Alamos has a violent crime rate of 61.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Los Alamos has lower violent crime.
About Los Alamos, NM
Nestled in the Jemez Mountains, Los Alamos, New Mexico, is a high-altitude town famous as the birthplace of the atomic bomb. This small, affluent community on the Pajarito Plateau is largely comprised of scientists and researchers. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 19,609, Los Alamos has a total crime rate of 459.0 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.