Is Altoona or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Altoona (Safety Score 38/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,185 for Altoona — 5% lower. Altoona has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
Note: San Diego is 32.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Altoona — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Altoona, PA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Altoona | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,185.1 | 2,082.4 | +102.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 334.7 | 412.4 | -77.7 |
| Murder Rate | 2.4 | 2.5 | -0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 75.4 | 21.4 | +54.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 73.1 | 77.4 | -4.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 183.9 | 310.9 | -127.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,850.4 | 1,670.0 | +180.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 332.4 | 187.4 | +145.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,402.5 | 1,087.1 | +315.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 115.5 | 395.5 | -280.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Altoona or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,185 for Altoona — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Altoona has a violent crime rate of 334.7 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Altoona has lower violent crime.
About Altoona, PA
Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains, Altoona was once a vital railroad town, home to the Pennsylvania Railroad's extensive shops. Its population of around 44,000 reflects a legacy of industrial heritage. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 42,424, Altoona has a total crime rate of 2,185.1 per 100,000 residents.
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.