Is San Diego or Wheeling Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Wheeling (Safety Score 38/100 vs 20/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,975 for Wheeling — 30% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wheeling has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 53.5x 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
Wheeling — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Wheeling, WV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Wheeling | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,974.8 | -892.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 982.6 | -570.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 54.0 | -32.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 54.0 | +23.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 874.7 | -563.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,992.2 | -322.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 558.8 | -371.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,321.7 | -234.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 111.8 | +283.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Wheeling safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,975 for Wheeling — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Wheeling has 982.6. 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 Wheeling, WV
Wheeling, a historic Ohio River city, once served as West Virginia's first state capital. Its population of around 27,000 residents reflects a legacy of industry and a unique Appalachian-Rust Belt identity. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 25,951, Wheeling has a total crime rate of 2,974.8 per 100,000 residents.