Is San Diego or Syracuse Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Syracuse (Safety Score 38/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,999 for Syracuse — 58% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 83% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 9.6x 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
Syracuse — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Syracuse, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Syracuse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 4,999.5 | -2,917.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 765.3 | -352.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 15.2 | -12.6 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 58.6 | -37.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 133.6 | -56.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 558.0 | -247.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 4,234.2 | -2,564.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 721.2 | -533.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,638.2 | -1,551.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 874.8 | -479.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Syracuse safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,999 for Syracuse — a 58% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Syracuse has 765.3. 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 Syracuse, NY
Syracuse, a city in Central New York, is home to Syracuse University and its distinctive Carrier Dome. Located near Onondaga Lake, it experiences significant annual snowfall due to lake-effect weather. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 145,175, Syracuse has a total crime rate of 4,999.5 per 100,000 residents.