Is Memphis or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Memphis (Safety Score 38/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 9,407 for Memphis — 78% lower. Memphis has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 94% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 2.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Memphis — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Memphis, TN
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Memphis | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 9,406.9 | 2,082.4 | +7,324.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 2,508.0 | 412.4 | +2,095.6 |
| Murder Rate | 40.6 | 2.5 | +38.1 |
| Rape Rate | 70.0 | 21.4 | +48.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 348.7 | 77.4 | +271.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 2,042.1 | 310.9 | +1,731.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 6,899.0 | 1,670.0 | +5,229.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 915.8 | 187.4 | +728.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 4,399.5 | 1,087.1 | +3,312.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,583.6 | 395.5 | +1,188.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Memphis or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 9,407 for Memphis — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Memphis has a violent crime rate of 2,508.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Memphis, TN
Memphis, a city on the Mississippi River, is the birthplace of the blues and a major hub for the music industry. Its population is predominantly African American, reflecting a rich cultural heritage and diverse community. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 613,207, Memphis has a total crime rate of 9,406.9 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.