Is Merced or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Merced (Safety Score 38/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,577 for Merced — 42% lower. Merced has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 65% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 14.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Merced — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Merced, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Merced | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,577.3 | 2,082.4 | +1,494.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 784.8 | 412.4 | +372.4 |
| Murder Rate | 7.3 | 2.5 | +4.8 |
| Rape Rate | 103.0 | 21.4 | +81.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 166.5 | 77.4 | +89.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 507.9 | 310.9 | +197.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,792.6 | 1,670.0 | +1,122.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 569.3 | 187.4 | +381.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,738.2 | 1,087.1 | +651.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 485.0 | 395.5 | +89.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Merced or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,577 for Merced — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Merced has a violent crime rate of 784.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Merced, CA
Merced, a Central Valley city known for its proximity to Yosemite, serves as a significant agricultural hub. This community, home to a University of California campus, experiences hot, dry summers and mild winters. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 96,077, Merced has a total crime rate of 3,577.3 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.