Is San Diego or Watertown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Watertown (Safety Score 38/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,528 for Watertown — 54% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Watertown has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 57.8x 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
Watertown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Watertown, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Watertown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 4,527.9 | -2,445.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 599.3 | -186.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 166.5 | -145.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 37.5 | +39.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 395.4 | -84.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 3,928.6 | -2,258.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 387.0 | -199.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 3,420.9 | -2,333.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 120.7 | +274.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Watertown safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,528 for Watertown — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Watertown has 599.3. 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 Watertown, NY
Watertown, NY, a city along the Black River, boasts the first department store in the nation, founded by F.W. Woolworth. Situated just south of Fort Drum, it serves as a regional hub for Jefferson County. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 24,029, Watertown has a total crime rate of 4,527.9 per 100,000 residents.