Is San Diego or Seattle Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Seattle (Safety Score 38/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 5,783 for Seattle — 64% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where San Diego has a 67% lower rate.
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Seattle — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Seattle, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 5,783.1 | -3,700.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 775.5 | -363.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 6.8 | -4.3 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 46.3 | -24.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 220.6 | -143.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 501.3 | -190.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 5,007.6 | -3,337.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 1,152.0 | -964.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,882.0 | -1,794.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 973.6 | -578.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Seattle safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 5,783 for Seattle — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Seattle has 775.5. 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 Seattle, WA
Seattle, a major port city in the Pacific Northwest, is known for its vibrant music scene, particularly grunge, which emerged here. Situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it’s home to a diverse population with a strong tech industry presence. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 760,058, Seattle has a total crime rate of 5,783.1 per 100,000 residents.