Is San Diego or Washington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Washington (Safety Score 38/100 vs 32/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,337 for Washington — 11% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Washington has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 102.7x 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, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,337.1 | -254.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 695.2 | -282.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 29.6 | -8.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 147.9 | -70.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 517.7 | -206.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,641.9 | +28.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 266.3 | -78.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,161.2 | -74.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 214.5 | +181.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Washington safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,337 for Washington — a 11% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Washington has 695.2. San Diego 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, PA
Washington, PA, a county seat in Southwestern Pennsylvania, was founded in 1781. The city is home to Washington & Jefferson College and lies along Interstate 70, just south of Pittsburgh. With a safety score of 32/100 and a population coverage of 13,521, Washington has a total crime rate of 2,337.1 per 100,000 residents.