Is San Diego or Wake Forest Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wake Forest is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 58/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,452 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 30% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Wake Forest has a 88% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 24.9x 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
Wake Forest — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Wake Forest, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Wake Forest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,451.5 | +630.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 146.8 | +265.6 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 3.6 | -1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 5.4 | +16.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 9.0 | +68.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 128.9 | +182.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,304.8 | +365.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 103.8 | +83.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,116.8 | -29.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 84.1 | +311.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Wake Forest safer?
Wake Forest is safer with a total crime rate of 1,452 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Wake Forest has 146.8. Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest, NC
Wake Forest, NC, a town in northern Wake County, was historically home to Wake Forest College before its move to Winston-Salem. It boasts a growing population of over 50,000 residents today. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 55,872, Wake Forest has a total crime rate of 1,451.5 per 100,000 residents.