Is San Diego or Suffolk Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Suffolk is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 42/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,942 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 7% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 76% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 13.4x 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
Suffolk — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Suffolk, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Suffolk | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,941.9 | +140.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 371.0 | +41.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 10.6 | -8.1 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 30.9 | -9.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 40.6 | +36.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 288.9 | +22.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,570.9 | +99.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 87.0 | +100.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,361.3 | -274.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 122.7 | +272.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Suffolk safer?
Suffolk is safer with a total crime rate of 1,942 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Suffolk has 371.0. Suffolk 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 Suffolk, VA
Suffolk, Virginia, a city rich in peanut production history, stretches across a vast land area, making it one of the largest cities by landmass in the Commonwealth. Its diverse population reflects a blend of rural and suburban communities. With a safety score of 42/100 and a population coverage of 103,506, Suffolk has a total crime rate of 1,941.9 per 100,000 residents.