Is Reading or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Reading is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 47/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,773 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 15% lower. Reading has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 65% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 14.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Reading — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Reading, PA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Reading | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,772.8 | 2,082.4 | -309.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 338.2 | 412.4 | -74.2 |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 2.5 | +4.6 |
| Rape Rate | 34.7 | 21.4 | +13.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 100.1 | 77.4 | +22.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 195.2 | 310.9 | -115.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,434.6 | 1,670.0 | -235.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 233.0 | 187.4 | +45.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 973.8 | 1,087.1 | -113.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 227.9 | 395.5 | -167.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reading or San Diego safer?
Reading is safer with a total crime rate of 1,773 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Reading has a violent crime rate of 338.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Reading has lower violent crime.
About Reading, PA
Reading, a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, is known for its historic Pagoda overlooking the city. Once a major railroad hub, it now has a diverse population with a significant Hispanic community. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 97,868, Reading has a total crime rate of 1,772.8 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.