Is Cleveland or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Cleveland (Safety Score 38/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 5,987 for Cleveland — 65% lower. Cleveland has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 92% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 3.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cleveland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, OH
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,987.4 | 2,082.4 | +3,905.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,561.1 | 412.4 | +1,148.7 |
| Murder Rate | 30.1 | 2.5 | +27.5 |
| Rape Rate | 140.9 | 21.4 | +119.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 389.2 | 77.4 | +311.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,000.9 | 310.9 | +690.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,426.3 | 1,670.0 | +2,756.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 860.3 | 187.4 | +672.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,419.5 | 1,087.1 | +1,332.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,146.5 | 395.5 | +751.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 5,987 for Cleveland — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 1,561.1 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Cleveland, OH
Cleveland, a city on Lake Erie, boasts a rich industrial past and is home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Its diverse population reflects a blend of historic European immigrant communities and growing newer populations. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 362,762, Cleveland has a total crime rate of 5,987.4 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.