Is Cleveland Heights or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cleveland Heights is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 55/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,551 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 26% lower. Cleveland Heights has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 63% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 31.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cleveland Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland Heights, OH
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland Heights | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,550.6 | 2,082.4 | -531.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 250.8 | 412.4 | -161.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.8 | 2.5 | +4.3 |
| Rape Rate | 38.8 | 21.4 | +17.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 47.9 | 77.4 | -29.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 157.3 | 310.9 | -153.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,299.8 | 1,670.0 | -370.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 166.5 | 187.4 | -20.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 754.8 | 1,087.1 | -332.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 378.5 | 395.5 | -17.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland Heights or San Diego safer?
Cleveland Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 1,551 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland Heights has a violent crime rate of 250.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Cleveland Heights has lower violent crime.
About Cleveland Heights, OH
Cleveland Heights, a first-ring suburb east of Cleveland, boasts diverse housing stock and a vibrant arts scene, including the storied Cain Park. Over 46,000 residents call this hilly, tree-lined community home. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 43,853, Cleveland Heights has a total crime rate of 1,550.6 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.