Is San Diego or Wellesley Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wellesley is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 91/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 532 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 74% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wellesley has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 43.4x 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
Wellesley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Wellesley, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Wellesley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 531.7 | +1,550.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 46.9 | +365.5 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 9.4 | +12.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 0.0 | +77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 37.5 | +273.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 484.8 | +1,185.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 65.7 | +121.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 378.4 | +708.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 40.7 | +354.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Wellesley safer?
Wellesley is safer with a total crime rate of 532 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 74% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Wellesley has 46.9. Wellesley 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 Wellesley, MA
Wellesley, a affluent Boston suburb known for Wellesley College, occupies a tree-lined landscape with a median household income exceeding $200,000. Its population of around 29,000 residents reflects a highly educated community, with over 80% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. With a safety score of 91/100 and a population coverage of 31,973, Wellesley has a total crime rate of 531.7 per 100,000 residents.