Is San Diego or Seatac Seatac Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Seatac Seatac (Safety Score 38/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,357 for Seatac Seatac — 52% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 60% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 43.5x 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
Seatac Seatac — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Seatac Seatac, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Seatac Seatac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 4,356.8 | -2,274.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 413.2 | -0.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 6.3 | -3.7 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 81.4 | -60.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 128.3 | -50.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 194.1 | +116.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 3,943.7 | -2,273.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 529.0 | -341.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,065.7 | -978.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 1,349.0 | -953.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Seatac Seatac safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,357 for Seatac Seatac — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Seatac Seatac has 413.2. 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 Seatac Seatac, WA
SeaTac, Washington, named for its proximity to Seattle and Tacoma, is home to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This diverse city in King County has a significant immigrant population. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 31,950, Seatac Seatac has a total crime rate of 4,356.8 per 100,000 residents.