Is San Diego or Waukee Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Waukee is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 82/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 782 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 62% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Waukee has a 89% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 40.2x 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
Waukee — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Waukee, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Waukee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 782.2 | +1,300.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 142.0 | +270.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 2.9 | -0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 23.2 | -1.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 8.7 | +68.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 107.2 | +203.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 640.2 | +1,029.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 60.8 | +126.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 515.6 | +571.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 63.7 | +331.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Waukee safer?
Waukee is safer with a total crime rate of 782 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Waukee has 142.0. Waukee 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 Waukee, IA
Waukee, a rapidly growing suburb west of Des Moines, was once a coal mining town. Its population has surged, nearing 30,000 residents, reflecting its appeal to young families. With a safety score of 82/100 and a population coverage of 34,520, Waukee has a total crime rate of 782.2 per 100,000 residents.