Is San Diego or West Fargo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Fargo is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 67/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,178 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 43% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where West Fargo has a 84% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 33.9x 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
West Fargo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
West Fargo, ND
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | West Fargo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,178.1 | +904.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 163.8 | +248.6 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 2.4 | +0.1 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 53.8 | -32.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 12.2 | +65.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 95.3 | +215.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,014.3 | +655.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 232.2 | -44.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 689.2 | +397.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 92.9 | +302.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or West Fargo safer?
West Fargo is safer with a total crime rate of 1,178 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while West Fargo has 163.8. West Fargo 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 West Fargo, ND
West Fargo, once known as "Pigeon" for its many passenger pigeons, is a rapidly growing city in Cass County, North Dakota. Situated just west of Fargo, it has seen significant population increases, drawing new residents to its suburban landscape. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 40,915, West Fargo has a total crime rate of 1,178.1 per 100,000 residents.