Is Rochester or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rochester is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 95/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 401 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 81% lower. Rochester has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Rochester has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 109.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester, MI
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Rochester | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 401.4 | 2,082.4 | -1,681.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 23.6 | 412.4 | -388.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 21.4 | -21.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 23.6 | 310.9 | -287.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 377.8 | 1,670.0 | -1,292.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 7.9 | 187.4 | -179.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 330.6 | 1,087.1 | -756.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 39.4 | 395.5 | -356.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rochester or San Diego safer?
Rochester is safer with a total crime rate of 401 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 81% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Rochester has a violent crime rate of 23.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Rochester has lower violent crime.
About Rochester, MI
Rochester, Michigan, founded along the Clinton River, is a suburban community in Oakland County. This affluent area is known for its vibrant downtown and was home to Meadow Brook Hall, a historic estate. With a safety score of 95/100 and a population coverage of 12,706, Rochester has a total crime rate of 401.4 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.