Is San Diego or West Haven Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Haven is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 62/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,343 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 36% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where West Haven has a 75% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 25.4x 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
West Haven — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
West Haven, CT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | West Haven | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,342.5 | +739.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 104.4 | +308.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 3.7 | -1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 14.7 | +6.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 40.3 | +37.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 45.8 | +265.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,238.1 | +431.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 122.7 | +64.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 838.9 | +248.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 276.6 | +119.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or West Haven safer?
West Haven is safer with a total crime rate of 1,343 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while West Haven has 104.4. West Haven 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 Haven, CT
West Haven, a coastal city in New Haven County, is home to the University of New Haven. Its long shoreline along Long Island Sound is a defining geographic feature. With a safety score of 62/100 and a population coverage of 54,598, West Haven has a total crime rate of 1,342.5 per 100,000 residents.