Is San Diego or Sparks Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Sparks (Safety Score 38/100 vs 20/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,979 for Sparks — 30% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 44% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 12.5x 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
Sparks — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Sparks, NV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Sparks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,979.1 | -896.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 395.3 | +17.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 4.5 | -2.0 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 83.9 | -62.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 56.0 | +21.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 250.0 | +61.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,583.8 | -913.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 301.4 | -114.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,964.7 | -877.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 317.7 | +77.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Sparks safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,979 for Sparks — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Sparks has 395.3. Sparks 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 Sparks, NV
Sparks, Nevada, a city east of Reno, was once known as "The Crossroads of the West" due to its railroad heritage. With a population exceeding 100,000, it's a significant part of the Truckee Meadows region. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 110,807, Sparks has a total crime rate of 2,979.1 per 100,000 residents.