Is Champaign or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Champaign (Safety Score 38/100 vs 23/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,781 for Champaign — 25% lower. Champaign has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 55% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 15.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Champaign — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Champaign, IL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Champaign | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,780.9 | 2,082.4 | +698.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 501.9 | 412.4 | +89.5 |
| Murder Rate | 5.6 | 2.5 | +3.1 |
| Rape Rate | 68.2 | 21.4 | +46.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.7 | 77.4 | +14.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 336.4 | 310.9 | +25.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,279.1 | 1,670.0 | +609.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 574.5 | 187.4 | +387.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,472.1 | 1,087.1 | +385.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 232.5 | 395.5 | -163.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Champaign or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,781 for Champaign — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Champaign has a violent crime rate of 501.9 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Champaign, IL
Champaign, Illinois, home to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is a mid-sized city in East Central Illinois. Its flat prairie landscape and highly educated populace reflect its agricultural roots and academic focus. With a safety score of 23/100 and a population coverage of 89,466, Champaign has a total crime rate of 2,780.9 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.