Is San Diego or Sarasota Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Sarasota (Safety Score 38/100 vs 36/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,165 for Sarasota — 4% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 79% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 23.8x 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
Sarasota — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Sarasota, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Sarasota | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,164.9 | -82.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 549.4 | -137.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 12.0 | -9.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 39.4 | -18.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 85.6 | -8.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 412.5 | -101.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,615.6 | +54.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 246.4 | -59.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,358.8 | -271.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 10.3 | +385.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Sarasota safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,165 for Sarasota — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Sarasota has 549.4. 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 Sarasota, FL
Sarasota, Florida, on the Gulf Coast, boasts Ringling Museum’s circus heritage. This city of over 50,000 residents is a popular snowbird destination. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 58,432, Sarasota has a total crime rate of 2,164.9 per 100,000 residents.