Is Rockville or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rockville is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 50/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,673 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 20% lower. Rockville has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Rockville has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 20.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Rockville — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rockville, MD
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Rockville | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,673.5 | 2,082.4 | -408.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 150.1 | 412.4 | -262.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 16.4 | 21.4 | -5.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.6 | 77.4 | -32.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 89.2 | 310.9 | -221.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,523.4 | 1,670.0 | -146.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 191.7 | 187.4 | +4.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,144.4 | 1,087.1 | +57.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 187.3 | 395.5 | -208.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rockville or San Diego safer?
Rockville is safer with a total crime rate of 1,673 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Rockville has a violent crime rate of 150.1 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Rockville has lower violent crime.
About Rockville, MD
Rockville, the county seat of Montgomery County, is a diverse suburban city. It's home to the Johns Hopkins University's Rockville Campus and is a major biotechnology hub. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 67,285, Rockville has a total crime rate of 1,673.5 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.