Is Merriam or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Merriam (Safety Score 38/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 6,022 for Merriam — 65% lower. Merriam has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Merriam has a 76% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 128.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Merriam — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Merriam, KS
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Merriam | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 6,021.9 | 2,082.4 | +3,939.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 435.4 | 412.4 | +23.1 |
| Murder Rate | 9.3 | 2.5 | +6.7 |
| Rape Rate | 74.1 | 21.4 | +52.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 18.5 | 77.4 | -58.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 333.5 | 310.9 | +22.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,586.4 | 1,670.0 | +3,916.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 315.0 | 187.4 | +127.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 4,261.6 | 1,087.1 | +3,174.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,009.8 | 395.5 | +614.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Merriam or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 6,022 for Merriam — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Merriam has a violent crime rate of 435.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Merriam, KS
Merriam, Kansas, a first-tier suburb of Kansas City, was once home to Merriam Park, a popular late 19th-century amusement park. Today, this city in Johnson County is known for its diverse housing stock and proximity to major highways. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 10,794, Merriam has a total crime rate of 6,021.9 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.