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Madison, NJ vs San Diego, CA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Madison crime rate · San Diego crime rate

Moving from Madison, NJ to San Diego, CA?

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Is Madison, NJ or San Diego, CA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Madison, NJ is safer than San Diego, CA (Safety Score 95/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 421 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego, CA — 80% lower. Madison has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Madison has a 100% lower rate.

Note: San Diego is 83.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Madison, NJ?

Madison — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Flat Property Flat Total

San Diego — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Madison, NJ

Madison, NJ
Safety Score 95/100
Coverage 16,643
Total Crime Rate 420.6
Category Wins 7/7

San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA
Safety Score 38/100
Coverage 1,389,024
Total Crime Rate 2,082.4
Category Wins 0/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Madison San Diego Difference
Total Crime Rate 420.6 2,082.4 -1,661.8
Violent Crime Rate 12.0 412.4 -400.4
Murder Rate 0.0 2.5 -2.5
Rape Rate 0.0 21.4 -21.4
Robbery Rate 6.0 77.4 -71.4
Aggravated Assault Rate 6.0 310.9 -304.9
Property Crime Rate 408.6 1,670.0 -1,261.4
Burglary Rate 6.0 187.4 -181.4
Larceny-Theft Rate 396.6 1,087.1 -690.5
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 6.0 395.5 -389.5

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Madison, NJ to San Diego, CA?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Madison or San Diego safer?

Madison, NJ is safer with a total crime rate of 421 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego, CA — a 80% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Madison has a violent crime rate of 12.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Madison has lower violent crime.

About Madison, NJ

Madison, a borough in Morris County, is home to Drew University and its arboretum. This affluent community, with a median household income significantly above the state average, retains a charming downtown. With a safety score of 95/100 and a population coverage of 16,643, Madison has a total crime rate of 420.6 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.

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