Is San Diego or Wilmington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Wilmington (Safety Score 38/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,286 for Wilmington — 51% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 93% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 19.3x 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
Wilmington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Wilmington, DE
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Wilmington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 4,285.8 | -2,203.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 1,127.1 | -714.7 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 34.7 | -32.2 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 7.0 | +14.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 254.3 | -176.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 831.0 | -520.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 3,158.8 | -1,488.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 486.4 | -299.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,001.2 | -914.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 671.2 | -275.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Wilmington safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,286 for Wilmington — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Wilmington has 1,127.1. 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 Wilmington, DE
Wilmington, Delaware, a port city on the Christina River, is home to the Rollins Building, a historic landmark. Its diverse population of roughly 70,000 resides just 30 miles south of Philadelphia. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 71,958, Wilmington has a total crime rate of 4,285.8 per 100,000 residents.