Is New York City or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than New York City (Safety Score 38/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 31% lower. New York City has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where San Diego has a 59% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 6.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 2,082.4 | +957.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 412.4 | +259.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 2.5 | +1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 21.4 | +2.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 77.4 | +110.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 310.9 | +145.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 1,670.0 | +698.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 187.4 | -32.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 1,087.1 | +927.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 395.5 | -197.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About New York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 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.