Is San Diego or Sweetwater Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Sweetwater (Safety Score 38/100 vs 36/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,170 for Sweetwater — 4% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sweetwater has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 67.0x 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
Sweetwater — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Sweetwater, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Sweetwater | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,170.5 | -88.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 101.3 | +311.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 0.0 | +21.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 53.1 | +24.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 48.2 | +262.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,069.2 | -399.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 48.2 | +139.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,664.0 | -576.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 356.9 | +38.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Sweetwater safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,170 for Sweetwater — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Sweetwater has 101.3. Sweetwater 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 Sweetwater, FL
Sweetwater, Florida, a small city in Miami-Dade County, is home to a significant Cuban population, reflected in its cultural landscape. Originally developed in the 1930s around a planned alligator farm, it sits west of Miami International Airport. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 20,733, Sweetwater has a total crime rate of 2,170.5 per 100,000 residents.