Is Charleston or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Charleston (Safety Score 38/100 vs 36/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,153 for Charleston — 3% lower. Charleston has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Charleston has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 81.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Charleston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, IL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,152.5 | 2,082.4 | +70.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 359.7 | 412.4 | -52.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 123.8 | 21.4 | +102.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.9 | 77.4 | -71.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 230.0 | 310.9 | -81.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,792.8 | 1,670.0 | +122.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 607.4 | 187.4 | +420.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,114.6 | 1,087.1 | +27.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 70.8 | 395.5 | -324.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,153 for Charleston — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 359.7 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Charleston has lower violent crime.
About Charleston, IL
Home to Eastern Illinois University, Charleston is a Central Illinois city with a population around 17,000. It's known for its historic town square and as the site of one of the Lincoln-Douglas debates. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 16,957, Charleston has a total crime rate of 2,152.5 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.