Is San Diego or Washington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Washington is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 66/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,225 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 41% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Washington has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 88.1x 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
Washington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Washington, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,224.6 | +857.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 95.2 | +317.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 19.0 | +2.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 6.4 | +71.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 69.8 | +241.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,129.4 | +540.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 101.5 | +85.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 996.2 | +90.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 31.7 | +363.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Washington safer?
Washington is safer with a total crime rate of 1,225 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Washington has 95.2. Washington 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, IL
Washington, Illinois, a city in Tazewell County known for its annual Cherry Festival, sits just east of Peoria. This community of around 16,000 residents is primarily a residential area with a strong local economy. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 15,760, Washington has a total crime rate of 1,224.6 per 100,000 residents.