Is San Diego or St. Paul Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than St. Paul (Safety Score 38/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,452 for St. Paul — 40% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 71% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 4.6x 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
St. Paul — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
St. Paul, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | St. Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 3,452.1 | -1,369.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 618.0 | -205.6 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 8.6 | -6.0 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 65.8 | -44.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 119.1 | -41.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 424.3 | -113.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,834.1 | -1,164.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 468.3 | -280.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,883.6 | -796.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 482.2 | -86.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or St. Paul safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,452 for St. Paul — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while St. Paul has 618.0. 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 St. Paul, MN
St. Paul, Minnesota, is the state capital, known for its historic Summit Avenue. This city, one of the "Twin Cities," sits on the Mississippi River, with a diverse population of over 300,000 residents. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 304,051, St. Paul has a total crime rate of 3,452.1 per 100,000 residents.