Is San Diego or West Palm Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than West Palm Beach (Safety Score 38/100 vs 24/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,714 for West Palm Beach — 23% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 68% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 11.0x 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 Palm Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
West Palm Beach, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | West Palm Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,713.8 | -631.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 575.8 | -163.5 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 7.9 | -5.4 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 59.3 | -37.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 159.0 | -81.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 349.6 | -38.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,138.0 | -468.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 307.7 | -120.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,801.8 | -714.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 28.5 | +367.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or West Palm Beach safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,714 for West Palm Beach — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while West Palm Beach has 575.8. 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 West Palm Beach, FL
West Palm Beach, separated from Palm Beach by the Intracoastal Waterway, was founded by Henry Flagler to house railroad workers. This city in Palm Beach County is a diverse urban center with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 126,427, West Palm Beach has a total crime rate of 2,713.8 per 100,000 residents.