Is San Diego or Washington City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Washington City is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 74/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 999 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 52% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Washington City has a 93% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 38.8x 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
Washington City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Washington City, UT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Washington City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 999.0 | +1,083.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 150.7 | +261.7 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 8.4 | -5.9 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 47.4 | -26.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 5.6 | +71.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 89.3 | +221.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 848.3 | +821.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 94.9 | +92.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 711.6 | +375.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 41.9 | +353.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Washington City safer?
Washington City is safer with a total crime rate of 999 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Washington City has 150.7. Washington City 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 Washington City, UT
Washington City, Utah, a sun-drenched town in Washington County, is known for its pioneer heritage and proximity to Zion National Park. Its population has seen significant growth, attracting new residents to the St. George metropolitan area. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 35,835, Washington City has a total crime rate of 999.0 per 100,000 residents.