Is San Diego or Westminster Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Westminster (Safety Score 38/100 vs 33/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,283 for Westminster — 9% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Westminster has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 67.2x 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
Westminster — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Westminster, MD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Westminster | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,283.4 | -201.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 241.9 | +170.5 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 29.0 | -7.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 24.2 | +53.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 188.7 | +122.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,041.5 | -371.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 106.4 | +81.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,867.4 | -780.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 67.7 | +327.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Westminster safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,283 for Westminster — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Westminster has 241.9. Westminster 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 Westminster, MD
Westminster, the county seat of Carroll County, is a historic city known for its vibrant Main Street and proximity to Baltimore. It's home to McDaniel College, adding a youthful demographic to its established community. With a safety score of 33/100 and a population coverage of 20,671, Westminster has a total crime rate of 2,283.4 per 100,000 residents.