Is Chatham or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chatham is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 89/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 597 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 71% lower. Chatham has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chatham has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 95.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chatham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chatham, IL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chatham | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 597.5 | 2,082.4 | -1,485.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 103.0 | 412.4 | -309.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 20.6 | 21.4 | -0.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 82.4 | 310.9 | -228.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 494.4 | 1,670.0 | -1,175.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 89.3 | 187.4 | -98.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 391.4 | 1,087.1 | -695.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 13.7 | 395.5 | -381.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chatham or San Diego safer?
Chatham is safer with a total crime rate of 597 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chatham has a violent crime rate of 103.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Chatham has lower violent crime.
About Chatham, IL
Chatham, a village south of Springfield, Illinois, was founded in 1836. It's home to roughly 14,000 residents, primarily families and commuters. With a safety score of 89/100 and a population coverage of 14,562, Chatham has a total crime rate of 597.5 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.