Is Rochester or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rochester is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 55/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,522 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 27% lower. Rochester has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Rochester has a 66% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 11.3x 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, MN
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Rochester | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,522.5 | 2,082.4 | -559.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 154.0 | 412.4 | -258.3 |
| Murder Rate | 4.1 | 2.5 | +1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 26.1 | 21.4 | +4.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 26.1 | 77.4 | -51.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 97.8 | 310.9 | -213.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,368.5 | 1,670.0 | -301.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 173.6 | 187.4 | -13.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,103.6 | 1,087.1 | +16.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 91.3 | 395.5 | -304.3 |
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 1,522 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Rochester has a violent crime rate of 154.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Rochester has lower violent crime.
About Rochester, MN
Rochester, Minnesota, home to the Mayo Clinic, is a city in southeastern Minnesota. Its population of over 120,000 makes it the state's third-largest city. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 122,694, Rochester has a total crime rate of 1,522.5 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.