Is San Diego or Scranton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Scranton is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 52/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,627 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 22% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 73% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 18.4x 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
Scranton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Scranton, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Scranton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,626.5 | +455.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 281.4 | +130.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 9.3 | -6.7 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 92.5 | -71.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 31.7 | +45.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 148.0 | +163.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,345.1 | +324.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 192.9 | -5.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,022.7 | +64.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 129.5 | +266.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Scranton safer?
Scranton is safer with a total crime rate of 1,627 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 22% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Scranton has 281.4. Scranton 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 Scranton, PA
Scranton, once a booming hub of the anthracite coal industry, is the largest city in northeastern Pennsylvania. Nestled in the Lackawanna River valley, its population is predominantly white, with a growing Hispanic community. With a safety score of 52/100 and a population coverage of 75,683, Scranton has a total crime rate of 1,626.5 per 100,000 residents.