Is Moses Lake or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Moses Lake (Safety Score 38/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,631 for Moses Lake — 55% lower. Moses Lake has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 89% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 52.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Moses Lake — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Moses Lake, WA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Moses Lake | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,631.2 | 2,082.4 | +2,548.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 394.4 | 412.4 | -18.0 |
| Murder Rate | 22.5 | 2.5 | +20.0 |
| Rape Rate | 22.5 | 21.4 | +1.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 78.9 | 77.4 | +1.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 270.4 | 310.9 | -40.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,236.8 | 1,670.0 | +2,566.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 612.2 | 187.4 | +424.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,444.3 | 1,087.1 | +2,357.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 180.3 | 395.5 | -215.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moses Lake or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,631 for Moses Lake — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Moses Lake has a violent crime rate of 394.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Moses Lake has lower violent crime.
About Moses Lake, WA
Moses Lake, a city in Grant County, Washington, is named for a lake formed by the Columbia Basin Project. The area is known for its agricultural roots and draws a diverse population, including a significant Hispanic community. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 26,624, Moses Lake has a total crime rate of 4,631.2 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.