Is Carbondale or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Carbondale (Safety Score 38/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,690 for Carbondale — 56% lower. Carbondale has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 73% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 64.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Carbondale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Carbondale, IL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Carbondale | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,689.7 | 2,082.4 | +2,607.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,004.9 | 412.4 | +592.6 |
| Murder Rate | 9.3 | 2.5 | +6.8 |
| Rape Rate | 237.3 | 21.4 | +215.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 111.7 | 77.4 | +34.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 646.7 | 310.9 | +335.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,684.8 | 1,670.0 | +2,014.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 1,093.3 | 187.4 | +905.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,242.5 | 1,087.1 | +1,155.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 348.9 | 395.5 | -46.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carbondale or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,690 for Carbondale — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Carbondale has a violent crime rate of 1,004.9 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Carbondale, IL
Nestled in Southern Illinois, Carbondale is a university town, home to Southern Illinois University. Its early development was tied to the Illinois Central Railroad, and it's surrounded by Shawnee National Forest. The population is diverse, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 21,494, Carbondale has a total crime rate of 4,689.7 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.