Is Richmond or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Richmond (Safety Score 38/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,188 for Richmond — 5% lower. Richmond has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 52% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 36.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Richmond — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Richmond, KY
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Richmond | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,188.0 | 2,082.4 | +105.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 215.4 | 412.4 | -197.0 |
| Murder Rate | 5.3 | 2.5 | +2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 57.8 | 21.4 | +36.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 47.3 | 77.4 | -30.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 105.1 | 310.9 | -205.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,972.6 | 1,670.0 | +302.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 328.3 | 187.4 | +140.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,457.8 | 1,087.1 | +370.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 186.5 | 395.5 | -209.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Richmond or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,188 for Richmond — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Richmond has a violent crime rate of 215.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Richmond has lower violent crime.
About Richmond, KY
Richmond, Kentucky, home to Eastern Kentucky University, is a city in Madison County, located in the Bluegrass region. Its population was over 36,000 in 2020. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 38,072, Richmond has a total crime rate of 2,188.0 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.