Is Methuen or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Methuen is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 75/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 972 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 53% lower. Methuen has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Methuen has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 25.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Methuen — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Methuen, MA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Methuen | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 972.1 | 2,082.4 | -1,110.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 175.8 | 412.4 | -236.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 9.2 | 21.4 | -12.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 166.6 | 310.9 | -144.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 796.4 | 1,670.0 | -873.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 47.6 | 187.4 | -139.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 682.9 | 1,087.1 | -404.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 65.9 | 395.5 | -329.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Methuen or San Diego safer?
Methuen is safer with a total crime rate of 972 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 53% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Methuen has a violent crime rate of 175.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Methuen has lower violent crime.
About Methuen, MA
Methuen, Massachusetts, once a mill town known for its hat factories, lies along the Merrimack River near the New Hampshire border. Its diverse population of over 50,000 residents contributes to its suburban character. With a safety score of 75/100 and a population coverage of 54,623, Methuen has a total crime rate of 972.1 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.