Is Petal or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Petal is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 92/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 522 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 75% lower. Petal has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Petal has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 120.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Petal — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Petal, MS
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Petal | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 521.5 | 2,082.4 | -1,560.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 130.4 | 412.4 | -282.0 |
| Murder Rate | 8.7 | 2.5 | +6.2 |
| Rape Rate | 52.2 | 21.4 | +30.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 69.5 | 310.9 | -241.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 391.1 | 1,670.0 | -1,278.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 147.8 | 187.4 | -39.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 208.6 | 1,087.1 | -878.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 34.8 | 395.5 | -360.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Petal or San Diego safer?
Petal is safer with a total crime rate of 522 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Petal has a violent crime rate of 130.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Petal has lower violent crime.
About Petal, MS
Petal, Mississippi, a city in Forrest County, was incorporated in 1960. Situated along the Leaf River, it is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and a population of over 11,000 residents. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 11,505, Petal has a total crime rate of 521.5 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.