Is San Diego or Watertown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Watertown is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 40/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 2,012 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 3% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Watertown has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 38.7x 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
Watertown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Watertown, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Watertown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,012.0 | +70.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 153.3 | +259.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 25.1 | -3.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 8.4 | +69.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 119.8 | +191.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,858.7 | -188.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 53.0 | +134.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,780.7 | -693.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 25.1 | +370.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Watertown safer?
Watertown is safer with a total crime rate of 2,012 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Watertown has 153.3. Watertown 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 Watertown, MA
Watertown, a historic Middlesex County town, sits along the Charles River just west of Boston. It was home to the Perkins School for the Blind, where Helen Keller studied. The town has a diverse population, including a notable Armenian community. With a safety score of 40/100 and a population coverage of 35,885, Watertown has a total crime rate of 2,012.0 per 100,000 residents.