Is Prior Lake or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Prior Lake is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 67/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,179 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 43% lower. Prior Lake has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Prior Lake has a 91% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 49.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Prior Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Prior Lake, MN
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Prior Lake | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,178.9 | 2,082.4 | -903.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 106.5 | 412.4 | -305.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 2.5 | +1.0 |
| Rape Rate | 32.0 | 21.4 | +10.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.1 | 77.4 | -70.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 63.9 | 310.9 | -247.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,072.3 | 1,670.0 | -597.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 63.9 | 187.4 | -123.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 955.2 | 1,087.1 | -131.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 53.3 | 395.5 | -342.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prior Lake or San Diego safer?
Prior Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 1,179 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Prior Lake has a violent crime rate of 106.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Prior Lake has lower violent crime.
About Prior Lake, MN
Prior Lake, Minnesota, a southern suburb of Minneapolis, is named for its large lake and is home to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. It's a growing, affluent community with a median household income significantly above the state average. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 28,163, Prior Lake has a total crime rate of 1,178.9 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.