Is Midland or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Midland is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 41/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,979 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 5% lower. Midland has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Midland has a 70% 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.
Midland — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Midland, TX
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Midland | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,978.6 | 2,082.4 | -103.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 366.4 | 412.4 | -46.0 |
| Murder Rate | 5.0 | 2.5 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 67.0 | 21.4 | +45.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 23.5 | 77.4 | -53.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 269.4 | 310.9 | -41.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,612.2 | 1,670.0 | -57.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 228.8 | 187.4 | +41.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,172.5 | 1,087.1 | +85.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 211.0 | 395.5 | -184.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Midland or San Diego safer?
Midland is safer with a total crime rate of 1,979 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Midland has a violent crime rate of 366.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Midland has lower violent crime.
About Midland, TX
Midland, a West Texas city famed for its oil industry, sits on the Llano Estacado. It's known as the childhood home of former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. The population is approximately 130,000. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 140,303, Midland has a total crime rate of 1,978.6 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.