Is San Diego or Waukegan Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Waukegan is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 39/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 2,060 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 1% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 56% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 15.9x 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
Waukegan — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Waukegan, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Waukegan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,059.6 | +22.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 445.2 | -32.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 5.7 | -3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 88.4 | -67.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 60.8 | +16.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 290.3 | +20.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,614.4 | +55.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 270.8 | -83.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 819.2 | +267.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 524.4 | -128.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Waukegan safer?
Waukegan is safer with a total crime rate of 2,060 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Waukegan has 445.2. 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 Waukegan, IL
Waukegan, a Lake Michigan port city, boasts Ray Bradbury's childhood home and a diverse population. Located 40 miles north of Chicago, it serves as the county seat of Lake County. With a safety score of 39/100 and a population coverage of 87,155, Waukegan has a total crime rate of 2,059.6 per 100,000 residents.