Is San Diego or Yakima Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Yakima (Safety Score 38/100 vs 27/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,590 for Yakima — 20% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 84% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 14.4x 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
Yakima — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Yakima, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Yakima | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,589.9 | -507.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 545.3 | -132.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 15.5 | -13.0 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 37.3 | -15.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 59.0 | +18.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 432.5 | -121.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,044.6 | -374.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 354.9 | -167.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,411.3 | -324.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 278.3 | +117.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Yakima safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,590 for Yakima — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Yakima has 545.3. 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 Yakima, WA
Yakima, nestled in a valley east of the Cascade Mountains, is known for its agricultural abundance, particularly apples. This city of roughly 97,000 residents is a hub for the surrounding fertile farmlands. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 96,646, Yakima has a total crime rate of 2,589.9 per 100,000 residents.