Is San Diego or Spearfish Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Spearfish (Safety Score 38/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,087 for Spearfish — 0% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Spearfish has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 101.7x 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
Spearfish — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Spearfish, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Spearfish | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,086.8 | -4.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 263.6 | +148.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 102.5 | -81.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 14.6 | +62.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 146.5 | +164.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,823.2 | -153.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 168.4 | +19.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,545.0 | -457.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 109.8 | +285.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Spearfish safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,087 for Spearfish — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Spearfish has 263.6. Spearfish 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 Spearfish, SD
Spearfish, nestled in the northern Black Hills, is home to Black Hills State University. Its population of around 12,000 enjoys proximity to Spearfish Canyon, a scenic byway. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 13,657, Spearfish has a total crime rate of 2,086.8 per 100,000 residents.