Is New Canaan or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New Canaan is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 82/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 787 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 62% lower. New Canaan has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New Canaan has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 66.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
New Canaan — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New Canaan, CT
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New Canaan | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 786.7 | 2,082.4 | -1,295.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 9.5 | 412.4 | -402.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 4.8 | 21.4 | -16.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 4.8 | 310.9 | -306.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 777.2 | 1,670.0 | -892.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 76.3 | 187.4 | -111.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 510.2 | 1,087.1 | -576.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 190.7 | 395.5 | -204.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Canaan or San Diego safer?
New Canaan is safer with a total crime rate of 787 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New Canaan has a violent crime rate of 9.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. New Canaan has lower violent crime.
About New Canaan, CT
New Canaan, a wealthy Fairfield County suburb, is known for its mid-century modern architecture. Situated near the Merritt Parkway, its affluent residents enjoy a quiet, tree-lined environment. With a safety score of 82/100 and a population coverage of 20,973, New Canaan has a total crime rate of 786.7 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.