Is Panama City or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Panama City (Safety Score 38/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,838 for Panama City — 27% lower. Panama City has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 69% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 37.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Panama City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Panama City, FL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Panama City | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,838.0 | 2,082.4 | +755.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 649.5 | 412.4 | +237.1 |
| Murder Rate | 8.2 | 2.5 | +5.7 |
| Rape Rate | 57.3 | 21.4 | +35.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 24.6 | 77.4 | -52.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 559.4 | 310.9 | +248.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,188.5 | 1,670.0 | +518.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 401.1 | 187.4 | +213.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,681.0 | 1,087.1 | +593.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 106.4 | 395.5 | -289.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panama City or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,838 for Panama City — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Panama City has a violent crime rate of 649.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Panama City, FL
Panama City, Florida, a popular tourist destination, sits on St. Andrew Bay, connecting to the Gulf of Mexico. Its economy heavily relies on tourism, fishing, and Tyndall Air Force Base, a significant local employer. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 36,646, Panama City has a total crime rate of 2,838.0 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.