Is Cape Girardeau or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Cape Girardeau (Safety Score 38/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,080 for Cape Girardeau — 32% lower. Cape Girardeau has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 66% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 34.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cape Girardeau — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cape Girardeau, MO
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cape Girardeau | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,079.5 | 2,082.4 | +997.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 623.3 | 412.4 | +210.9 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 2.5 | +4.8 |
| Rape Rate | 51.5 | 21.4 | +30.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 31.9 | 77.4 | -45.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 532.5 | 310.9 | +221.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,456.3 | 1,670.0 | +786.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 296.9 | 187.4 | +109.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,931.2 | 1,087.1 | +844.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 228.2 | 395.5 | -167.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cape Girardeau or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,080 for Cape Girardeau — a 32% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cape Girardeau has a violent crime rate of 623.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Cape Girardeau, MO
Cape Girardeau, Missouri, a city on the Mississippi River, is home to Southeast Missouri State University. Its historic downtown features a vibrant arts scene and overlooks the river, which forms the eastern border of Missouri. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 40,753, Cape Girardeau has a total crime rate of 3,079.5 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.