Is San Diego or Watertown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Watertown is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 62/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,328 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 36% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Watertown has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 59.3x 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, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Watertown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,328.1 | +754.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 303.2 | +109.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 64.1 | -42.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 0.0 | +77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 239.1 | +71.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,024.9 | +645.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 68.3 | +119.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 888.2 | +198.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 68.3 | +327.2 |
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 1,328 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Watertown has 303.2. 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, SD
Watertown, named for its many lakes, is a regional hub in northeastern South Dakota. Home to Terry Redlin's art center, the city has a population of around 23,000. With a safety score of 62/100 and a population coverage of 23,417, Watertown has a total crime rate of 1,328.1 per 100,000 residents.