Is San Diego or Wakefield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wakefield is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 89/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 584 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 72% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wakefield has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 48.6x 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
Wakefield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Wakefield, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Wakefield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 584.0 | +1,498.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 174.9 | +237.5 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 56.0 | -34.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 7.0 | +70.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 111.9 | +199.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 409.2 | +1,260.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 45.5 | +141.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 293.8 | +793.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 69.9 | +325.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Wakefield safer?
Wakefield is safer with a total crime rate of 584 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Wakefield has 174.9. Wakefield 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 Wakefield, MA
Wakefield, Massachusetts, a Middlesex County town established in 1644, is home to Lake Quannapowitt. This suburban community, with a population around 27,000, offers a mix of residential areas and local businesses. With a safety score of 89/100 and a population coverage of 28,594, Wakefield has a total crime rate of 584.0 per 100,000 residents.