Is Meridian or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Meridian is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 85/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 718 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 66% lower. Meridian has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Meridian has a 86% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 9.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Meridian — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Meridian, ID
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Meridian | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 718.2 | 2,082.4 | -1,364.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 146.8 | 412.4 | -265.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 2.5 | -1.8 |
| Rape Rate | 29.9 | 21.4 | +8.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 10.7 | 77.4 | -66.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 105.5 | 310.9 | -205.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 571.4 | 1,670.0 | -1,098.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 52.0 | 187.4 | -135.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 482.4 | 1,087.1 | -604.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 37.1 | 395.5 | -358.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Meridian or San Diego safer?
Meridian is safer with a total crime rate of 718 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Meridian has a violent crime rate of 146.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Meridian has lower violent crime.
About Meridian, ID
Meridian, Idaho, once known as "Hunter," is a rapidly growing city in Ada County, part of the Boise metropolitan area. Its population has surged, and it hosts the annual Meridian Dairy Days, a nod to its agricultural past. With a safety score of 85/100 and a population coverage of 140,353, Meridian has a total crime rate of 718.2 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.