Is San Diego or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 100/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 99% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Worcester has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 6.5x 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
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 16.5 | +2,065.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 16.5 | +395.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 7.5 | -5.0 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 0.0 | +21.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 0.9 | +76.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 8.0 | +302.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 0.0 | +1,670.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 0.0 | +187.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 0.0 | +1,087.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 0.0 | +395.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 99% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester 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 Worcester, MA
Worcester, a city of hills in Central Massachusetts, boasts a rich industrial past, home to the first American-made Valentine's Day cards. It's the second-most populous city in New England outside of Boston. With a safety score of 100/100 and a population coverage of 212,425, Worcester has a total crime rate of 16.5 per 100,000 residents.