Is New London or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New London is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 53/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,594 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 23% lower. New London has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New London has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 49.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
New London — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New London, CT
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New London | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,594.4 | 2,082.4 | -488.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 201.1 | 412.4 | -211.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 35.9 | 21.4 | +14.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 43.1 | 77.4 | -34.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 122.1 | 310.9 | -188.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,393.3 | 1,670.0 | -276.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 168.8 | 187.4 | -18.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,016.2 | 1,087.1 | -70.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 208.3 | 395.5 | -187.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New London or San Diego safer?
New London is safer with a total crime rate of 1,594 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New London has a violent crime rate of 201.1 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. New London has lower violent crime.
About New London, CT
New London, a historic port city on the Thames River, was once a major whaling center. Its diverse population of roughly 28,000 residents enjoys a vibrant waterfront. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 27,848, New London has a total crime rate of 1,594.4 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.