Is San Diego or Spencer Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Spencer is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 96/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 363 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 83% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Spencer has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 114.5x 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
Spencer — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Spencer, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Spencer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 362.7 | +1,719.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 82.4 | +329.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 0.0 | +21.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 0.0 | +77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 82.4 | +228.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 280.3 | +1,389.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 24.7 | +162.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 181.4 | +905.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 74.2 | +321.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Spencer safer?
Spencer is safer with a total crime rate of 363 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Spencer has 82.4. Spencer 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 Spencer, MA
Spencer, a central Massachusetts town, is home to the historic Howe family, inventors of the sewing machine. Situated on the Seven Hills, it features a diverse population of just over 11,000 residents. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 12,130, Spencer has a total crime rate of 362.7 per 100,000 residents.