Is San Diego or Topeka Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Topeka (Safety Score 38/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,499 for Topeka — 54% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 84% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 11.1x 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
Topeka — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Topeka, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Topeka | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 4,499.2 | -2,416.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 856.5 | -444.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 16.0 | -13.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 47.1 | -25.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 80.7 | -3.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 712.7 | -401.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 3,642.7 | -1,972.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 637.6 | -450.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,504.9 | -1,417.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 500.2 | -104.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Topeka safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,499 for Topeka — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Topeka has 856.5. 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 Topeka, KS
Topeka, the capital of Kansas, is home to the historic Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. This city in Shawnee County has a diverse population, with a significant portion identifying as white and Black. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 125,156, Topeka has a total crime rate of 4,499.2 per 100,000 residents.