Is San Diego or Wayne Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wayne is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 40/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,995 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 4% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 57% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 82.2x 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
Wayne — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Wayne, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Wayne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,995.2 | +87.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 692.7 | -280.3 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 5.9 | -3.4 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 82.9 | -61.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 53.3 | +24.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 550.6 | -239.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,302.5 | +367.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 183.5 | +3.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 769.6 | +317.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 349.3 | +46.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Wayne safer?
Wayne is safer with a total crime rate of 1,995 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Wayne has 692.7. 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 Wayne, MI
Wayne, Michigan, a western suburb of Detroit, was once home to a Ford Motor Company assembly plant. This city in Wayne County has a population of around 17,000 residents. With a safety score of 40/100 and a population coverage of 16,891, Wayne has a total crime rate of 1,995.2 per 100,000 residents.