Is San Diego or Sanford Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Sanford (Safety Score 38/100 vs 23/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,795 for Sanford — 26% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 58% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 20.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sanford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Sanford, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Sanford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,795.2 | -712.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 542.6 | -130.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 6.0 | -3.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 40.4 | -19.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 92.7 | -15.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 403.6 | -92.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,252.6 | -582.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 261.6 | -74.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,790.7 | -703.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 200.3 | +195.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Sanford safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,795 for Sanford — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Sanford has 542.6. San Diego has lower violent crime.
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.
About Sanford, FL
Sanford, "The Historic Waterfront Gateway," sits on the southern shore of Lake Monroe. Once a major celery producer, the city boasts a vibrant downtown and a diverse population of over 60,000 residents. With a safety score of 23/100 and a population coverage of 66,900, Sanford has a total crime rate of 2,795.2 per 100,000 residents.