Is San Diego or Wilson Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Wilson (Safety Score 38/100 vs 20/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,982 for Wilson — 30% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 90% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 29.0x 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
Wilson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Wilson, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Wilson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,981.7 | -899.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 579.2 | -166.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 25.1 | -22.6 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 27.2 | -5.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 62.7 | +14.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 464.2 | -153.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,402.5 | -732.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 286.5 | -99.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,881.9 | -794.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 234.2 | +161.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Wilson safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,982 for Wilson — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Wilson has 579.2. 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 Wilson, NC
Wilson, NC, a city of over 49,000 residents in Eastern North Carolina, is known as "The City of Antiques" and home to the unique Whirligig Park. It lies along the I-95 corridor, a major North-South route. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 47,825, Wilson has a total crime rate of 2,981.7 per 100,000 residents.