Is San Francisco or Washington Metropolitan Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Washington Metropolitan is safer than San Francisco (Safety Score 6/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 4,514 per 100,000 versus 4,526 for San Francisco — 0% lower. San Francisco has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Francisco has a 83% lower rate.
San Francisco — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Washington Metropolitan — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Francisco, CA
Washington Metropolitan, DC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Francisco | Washington Metropolitan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,525.6 | 4,513.9 | +11.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 596.5 | 925.9 | -329.4 |
| Murder Rate | 4.4 | 25.5 | -21.1 |
| Rape Rate | 34.9 | 34.0 | +0.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 267.2 | 438.6 | -171.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 290.1 | 427.8 | -137.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,929.1 | 3,588.0 | +341.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 637.5 | 238.0 | +399.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,618.9 | 2,594.5 | +24.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 672.7 | 755.6 | -82.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Francisco or Washington Metropolitan safer?
Washington Metropolitan is safer with a total crime rate of 4,514 per 100K vs 4,526 for San Francisco — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Francisco has a violent crime rate of 596.5 per 100K while Washington Metropolitan has 925.9. San Francisco has lower violent crime.
About San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, a vibrant Northern California port city renowned for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, spans a hilly peninsula. Home to a diverse population of nearly 850,000, it was a pivotal center of the counterculture movement in the 1960s. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 802,856, San Francisco has a total crime rate of 4,525.6 per 100,000 residents.
About Washington Metropolitan, DC
The Washington Metropolitan Area, encompassing the District of Columbia and parts of surrounding states, is the political heart of the United States. Home to federal institutions and national monuments like the Lincoln Memorial, it has a diverse population exceeding 6 million, with a significant proportion of government employees. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 702,250, Washington Metropolitan has a total crime rate of 4,513.9 per 100,000 residents.
More Crime Rate Comparisons
Compare San Francisco
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