Is Palm Bay or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palm Bay is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 61/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,365 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 34% lower. Palm Bay has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 68% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 9.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Palm Bay — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Palm Bay, FL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Palm Bay | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,365.3 | 2,082.4 | -717.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 347.9 | 412.4 | -64.5 |
| Murder Rate | 7.8 | 2.5 | +5.3 |
| Rape Rate | 47.5 | 21.4 | +26.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 51.7 | 77.4 | -25.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 240.2 | 310.9 | -70.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,017.5 | 1,670.0 | -652.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 229.6 | 187.4 | +42.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 724.8 | 1,087.1 | -362.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 63.1 | 395.5 | -332.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palm Bay or San Diego safer?
Palm Bay is safer with a total crime rate of 1,365 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Palm Bay has a violent crime rate of 347.9 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Palm Bay has lower violent crime.
About Palm Bay, FL
Palm Bay, a sprawling city on Florida's Space Coast, began as Tillman and grew significantly after being marketed by General Development Corporation. Its diverse population, largely residential, stretches across a low-lying, wooded landscape along the Indian River Lagoon. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 141,137, Palm Bay has a total crime rate of 1,365.3 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.