Is Needham or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Needham is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 85/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 699 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 66% lower. Needham has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Needham has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 42.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Needham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Needham, MA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Needham | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 698.6 | 2,082.4 | -1,383.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 51.9 | 412.4 | -360.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 12.2 | 21.4 | -9.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 39.7 | 310.9 | -271.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 646.8 | 1,670.0 | -1,023.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 73.2 | 187.4 | -114.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 536.9 | 1,087.1 | -550.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 36.6 | 395.5 | -358.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Needham or San Diego safer?
Needham is safer with a total crime rate of 699 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Needham has a violent crime rate of 51.9 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Needham has lower violent crime.
About Needham, MA
Needham, a suburban town in Norfolk County, is home to the first-ever American-made baseball. Located just west of Boston, it boasts a highly educated population and a charming town center. With a safety score of 85/100 and a population coverage of 32,779, Needham has a total crime rate of 698.6 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.