Is San Diego or Waynesboro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Waynesboro is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 48/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,762 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 15% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 70% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 58.7x 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
Waynesboro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Waynesboro, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Waynesboro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,761.5 | +320.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 245.0 | +167.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 8.5 | -5.9 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 54.9 | -33.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 25.4 | +52.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 156.3 | +154.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,516.5 | +153.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 169.0 | +18.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,161.7 | -74.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 185.9 | +209.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Waynesboro safer?
Waynesboro is safer with a total crime rate of 1,762 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Waynesboro has 245.0. Waynesboro 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 Waynesboro, VA
Waynesboro, nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, is a city of around 15,000 residents. It's home to the South River, once a major industrial waterway. With a safety score of 48/100 and a population coverage of 23,673, Waynesboro has a total crime rate of 1,761.5 per 100,000 residents.