Is San Diego or Waltham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Waltham is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 76/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 951 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 54% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Waltham has a 70% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 21.2x 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
Waltham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Waltham, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Waltham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 951.3 | +1,131.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 252.0 | +160.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 1.5 | +1.0 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 18.3 | +3.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 22.9 | +54.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 209.2 | +101.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 699.4 | +970.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 125.2 | +62.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 519.2 | +567.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 55.0 | +340.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Waltham safer?
Waltham is safer with a total crime rate of 951 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Waltham has 252.0. Waltham 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 Waltham, MA
Waltham, "Watch City," is a historic industrial suburb of Boston along the Charles River. Home to Brandeis University, its diverse population includes a significant immigrant community. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 65,488, Waltham has a total crime rate of 951.3 per 100,000 residents.