Is North Myrtle Beach or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than North Myrtle Beach (Safety Score 38/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,583 for North Myrtle Beach — 42% lower. North Myrtle Beach has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where North Myrtle Beach has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 66.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
North Myrtle Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
North Myrtle Beach, SC
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | North Myrtle Beach | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,583.5 | 2,082.4 | +1,501.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 360.8 | 412.4 | -51.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 57.7 | 21.4 | +36.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 14.4 | 77.4 | -63.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 288.6 | 310.9 | -22.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,222.7 | 1,670.0 | +1,552.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 216.5 | 187.4 | +29.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,770.6 | 1,087.1 | +1,683.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 235.7 | 395.5 | -159.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Myrtle Beach or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,583 for North Myrtle Beach — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
North Myrtle Beach has a violent crime rate of 360.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. North Myrtle Beach has lower violent crime.
About North Myrtle Beach, SC
North Myrtle Beach, SC, a popular tourist destination, is home to the Carolina Shag dance. This coastal city, part of Horry County, boasts a significant seasonal population increase. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 20,790, North Myrtle Beach has a total crime rate of 3,583.5 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.