Is Providence or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Providence is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 42/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,935 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 7% lower. Providence has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 59% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 7.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Providence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Providence, RI
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Providence | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,934.6 | 2,082.4 | -147.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 276.8 | 412.4 | -135.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.2 | 2.5 | +3.7 |
| Rape Rate | 20.7 | 21.4 | -0.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 55.8 | 77.4 | -21.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 194.1 | 310.9 | -116.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,657.9 | 1,670.0 | -12.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 117.2 | 187.4 | -70.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,330.0 | 1,087.1 | +243.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 210.7 | 395.5 | -184.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Providence or San Diego safer?
Providence is safer with a total crime rate of 1,935 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Providence has a violent crime rate of 276.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Providence has lower violent crime.
About Providence, RI
Providence, the capital of Rhode Island, is a historic New England city situated at the head of Narragansett Bay. Home to Brown University, it boasts a diverse population and a rich architectural heritage. With a safety score of 42/100 and a population coverage of 193,679, Providence has a total crime rate of 1,934.6 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.