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 2,784 for Sanford — 25% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sanford has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 62.2x 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, ME
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Sanford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,783.6 | -701.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 156.6 | +255.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 80.6 | -59.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 4.5 | +72.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 71.6 | +239.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,627.0 | -957.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 152.2 | +35.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,349.5 | -1,262.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 125.3 | +270.2 |
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 2,784 for Sanford — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Sanford has 156.6. Sanford 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, ME
Sanford, Maine, a former mill town known for its textile industry, is located in York County. Its population is around 22,000, with a significant number of residents working in local manufacturing and service industries. With a safety score of 23/100 and a population coverage of 22,345, Sanford has a total crime rate of 2,783.6 per 100,000 residents.