Is Clemson or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Clemson (Safety Score 38/100 vs 37/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,149 for Clemson — 3% lower. Clemson has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Clemson has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 77.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Clemson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Clemson, SC
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Clemson | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,149.2 | 2,082.4 | +66.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 162.3 | 412.4 | -250.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 67.2 | 21.4 | +45.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 11.2 | 77.4 | -66.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 84.0 | 310.9 | -227.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,986.9 | 1,670.0 | +316.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 179.1 | 187.4 | -8.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,421.6 | 1,087.1 | +334.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 386.2 | 395.5 | -9.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clemson or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,149 for Clemson — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Clemson has a violent crime rate of 162.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Clemson has lower violent crime.
About Clemson, SC
Clemson, South Carolina, a small city in Pickens County, is home to Clemson University, founded in 1889. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, its population is predominantly young due to the university. With a safety score of 37/100 and a population coverage of 17,867, Clemson has a total crime rate of 2,149.2 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.