Is San Diego or South Milwaukee Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, South Milwaukee is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 58/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,457 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 30% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where South Milwaukee has a 74% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 68.8x 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
South Milwaukee — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
South Milwaukee, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | South Milwaukee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,457.0 | +625.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 158.6 | +253.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 5.0 | -2.4 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 19.8 | +1.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 19.8 | +57.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 114.0 | +197.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,298.4 | +371.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 44.6 | +142.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,189.4 | -102.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 64.4 | +331.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or South Milwaukee safer?
South Milwaukee is safer with a total crime rate of 1,457 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while South Milwaukee has 158.6. South Milwaukee 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 South Milwaukee, WI
South Milwaukee, hugging Lake Michigan, developed around Bucyrus International, a major manufacturer. This city of roughly 20,000 residents is just south of Milwaukee proper. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 20,178, South Milwaukee has a total crime rate of 1,457.0 per 100,000 residents.