Is San Diego or Wilkes Barre City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wilkes Barre City is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 41/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,989 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 5% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 72% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 31.4x 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
Wilkes Barre City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Wilkes Barre City, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Wilkes Barre City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,988.5 | +93.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 431.6 | -19.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 9.0 | -6.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 42.9 | -21.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 56.5 | +20.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 323.1 | -12.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,556.9 | +113.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 165.0 | +22.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,281.2 | -194.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 110.7 | +284.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Wilkes Barre City safer?
Wilkes Barre City is safer with a total crime rate of 1,989 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Wilkes Barre City has 431.6. 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 Wilkes Barre City, PA
Wilkes-Barre, a city in Luzerne County, was a major anthracite coal mining hub. Nestled in the Wyoming Valley along the Susquehanna River, it is home to a diverse population. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 44,254, Wilkes Barre City has a total crime rate of 1,988.5 per 100,000 residents.