Is San Diego or Waterville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Waterville (Safety Score 38/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,166 for Waterville — 34% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 86% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 82.4x 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
Waterville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Waterville, ME
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Waterville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 3,166.0 | -1,083.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 142.3 | +270.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 17.8 | -15.3 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 77.1 | -55.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 23.7 | +53.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 23.7 | +287.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 3,023.7 | -1,353.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 59.3 | +128.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,810.2 | -1,723.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 154.2 | +241.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Waterville safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,166 for Waterville — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Waterville has 142.3. Waterville 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 Waterville, ME
Waterville, a Kennebec River city, was a major mill town. Colby College, a liberal arts institution, is located here. Its population is around 16,000. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 16,867, Waterville has a total crime rate of 3,166.0 per 100,000 residents.