Is San Diego or Sault Ste. Marie Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sault Ste. Marie is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 56/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,510 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 27% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sault Ste. Marie has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 104.4x 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
Sault Ste. Marie — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Sault Ste. Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,510.1 | +572.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 405.7 | +6.7 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 150.3 | -128.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 7.5 | +69.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 247.9 | +63.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,104.4 | +565.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 67.6 | +119.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 991.7 | +95.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 45.1 | +350.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Sault Ste. Marie safer?
Sault Ste. Marie is safer with a total crime rate of 1,510 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Sault Ste. Marie has 405.7. Sault Ste. Marie 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 Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the oldest city in Michigan, sits on the St. Marys River across from its Canadian twin. Home to the Soo Locks, a major shipping thoroughfare, its population is around 13,000. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 13,310, Sault Ste. Marie has a total crime rate of 1,510.1 per 100,000 residents.