Is San Diego or Southfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Southfield (Safety Score 38/100 vs 21/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,913 for Southfield — 29% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Southfield has a 49% 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
Southfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Southfield, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Southfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,913.0 | -830.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 493.0 | -80.6 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 1.3 | +1.2 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 59.6 | -38.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 39.8 | +37.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 392.3 | -81.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,420.0 | -750.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 405.6 | -218.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,467.1 | -380.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 547.4 | -151.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Southfield safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,913 for Southfield — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Southfield has 493.0. 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 Southfield, MI
Southfield, a Detroit suburb, is home to the landmark "Golden Triangle" of office buildings. Its diverse population has grown significantly since the mid-20th century, with many residents commuting to neighboring communities. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 75,454, Southfield has a total crime rate of 2,913.0 per 100,000 residents.