Is Rochester or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Rochester (Safety Score 38/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,872 for Rochester — 46% lower. Rochester has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 81% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 6.7x 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, NY
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Rochester | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,871.6 | 2,082.4 | +1,789.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 582.3 | 412.4 | +169.9 |
| Murder Rate | 13.1 | 2.5 | +10.6 |
| Rape Rate | 18.4 | 21.4 | -2.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 153.3 | 77.4 | +75.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 397.4 | 310.9 | +86.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,289.3 | 1,670.0 | +1,619.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 404.7 | 187.4 | +217.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,795.8 | 1,087.1 | +708.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,088.8 | 395.5 | +693.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rochester or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,872 for Rochester — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Rochester has a violent crime rate of 582.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Rochester, NY
Rochester, NY, a city along Lake Ontario's southern shore, was once the "Flour City" due to its milling industry on the Genesee River. It's home to a diverse population of just over 200,000 residents. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 206,093, Rochester has a total crime rate of 3,871.6 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.