Is Salem or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 49/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 18% lower. Salem has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Salem has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 30.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem, MA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Salem | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,706.0 | 2,082.4 | -376.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 152.3 | 412.4 | -260.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 13.1 | 21.4 | -8.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 34.8 | 77.4 | -42.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 104.5 | 310.9 | -206.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,553.7 | 1,670.0 | -116.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 106.6 | 187.4 | -80.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,347.0 | 1,087.1 | +259.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 100.1 | 395.5 | -295.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salem or San Diego safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Salem has a violent crime rate of 152.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Salem has lower violent crime.
About Salem, MA
Salem, Massachusetts, renowned for the 1692 witch trials, is a small coastal city north of Boston. Its population is approximately 45,000, with a significant portion employed in tourism and education. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 45,955, Salem has a total crime rate of 1,706.0 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.