Is Palmer or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palmer is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 76/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 949 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 54% lower. Palmer has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Palmer has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 110.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Palmer — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Palmer, MA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Palmer | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 949.4 | 2,082.4 | -1,133.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 375.0 | 412.4 | -37.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 31.9 | 21.4 | +10.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 343.1 | 310.9 | +32.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 574.4 | 1,670.0 | -1,095.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 119.7 | 187.4 | -67.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 375.0 | 1,087.1 | -712.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 79.8 | 395.5 | -315.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palmer or San Diego safer?
Palmer is safer with a total crime rate of 949 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Palmer has a violent crime rate of 375.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Palmer has lower violent crime.
About Palmer, MA
Palmer, Massachusetts, a rural town in Hampden County, is known for its "Four Corners" where four distinct villages meet. Historically, it was a significant railroad hub, once home to a major roundhouse and repair shop. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 12,534, Palmer has a total crime rate of 949.4 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.