Is Maricopa or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Maricopa is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 70/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,094 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 47% lower. Maricopa has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Maricopa has a 93% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 18.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Maricopa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Maricopa, AZ
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Maricopa | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,093.7 | 2,082.4 | -988.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 224.8 | 412.4 | -187.6 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 2.5 | +0.1 |
| Rape Rate | 6.6 | 21.4 | -14.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.3 | 77.4 | -72.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 210.3 | 310.9 | -100.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 868.9 | 1,670.0 | -801.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 62.2 | 187.4 | -125.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 748.5 | 1,087.1 | -338.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 58.2 | 395.5 | -337.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maricopa or San Diego safer?
Maricopa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,094 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Maricopa has a violent crime rate of 224.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Maricopa has lower violent crime.
About Maricopa, AZ
Maricopa, Arizona, a city incorporated in 2003, sits in the Sonoran Desert. It's one of the fastest-growing cities in Arizona, with a significant portion of its population commuting to Phoenix for work. With a safety score of 70/100 and a population coverage of 75,614, Maricopa has a total crime rate of 1,093.7 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.