Is Lowell or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Lowell (Safety Score 38/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,195 for Lowell — 5% lower. Lowell has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 42% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 12.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lowell — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lowell, MA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lowell | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,195.4 | 2,082.4 | +113.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 532.5 | 412.4 | +120.1 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 2.5 | +1.8 |
| Rape Rate | 6.9 | 21.4 | -14.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 56.9 | 77.4 | -20.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 464.4 | 310.9 | +153.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,662.9 | 1,670.0 | -7.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 149.9 | 187.4 | -37.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,309.6 | 1,087.1 | +222.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 203.3 | 395.5 | -192.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lowell or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,195 for Lowell — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lowell has a violent crime rate of 532.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Lowell, MA
Lowell, a historic mill city on the Merrimack River, was a birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Its diverse population includes a significant Cambodian American community. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 116,062, Lowell has a total crime rate of 2,195.4 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.