Is Cary or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cary is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 92/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 488 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 77% lower. Cary has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cary has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 77.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cary — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cary, IL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cary | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 487.9 | 2,082.4 | -1,594.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 11.1 | 412.4 | -401.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 11.1 | 21.4 | -10.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 0.0 | 310.9 | -310.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 476.9 | 1,670.0 | -1,193.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 99.8 | 187.4 | -87.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 349.3 | 1,087.1 | -737.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 27.7 | 395.5 | -367.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cary or San Diego safer?
Cary is safer with a total crime rate of 488 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 77% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cary has a violent crime rate of 11.1 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Cary has lower violent crime.
About Cary, IL
Cary, Illinois, a village in McHenry County, is known for its annual "Merry Cary Holiday Parade." Situated along the Fox River, it's a predominantly suburban community with a population of around 18,000. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 18,035, Cary has a total crime rate of 487.9 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.