Is Myrtle Beach or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Myrtle Beach (Safety Score 38/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 6,767 for Myrtle Beach — 69% lower. Myrtle Beach has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 79% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 33.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Myrtle Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Myrtle Beach, SC
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Myrtle Beach | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 6,767.1 | 2,082.4 | +4,684.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,111.6 | 412.4 | +699.2 |
| Murder Rate | 12.2 | 2.5 | +9.7 |
| Rape Rate | 185.3 | 21.4 | +163.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 173.1 | 77.4 | +95.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 741.1 | 310.9 | +430.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,655.5 | 1,670.0 | +3,985.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 446.1 | 187.4 | +258.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 4,814.5 | 1,087.1 | +3,727.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 394.9 | 395.5 | -0.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Myrtle Beach or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 6,767 for Myrtle Beach — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Myrtle Beach has a violent crime rate of 1,111.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach, a popular East Coast vacation destination, is known for its "Grand Strand" of beaches and numerous golf courses. This coastal city in Horry County experiences a significant influx of tourists, especially during the summer months. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 41,022, Myrtle Beach has a total crime rate of 6,767.1 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.