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 22/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,837 for Cleveland — 27% lower. Cleveland has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 38% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 28.1x 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, TN
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,837.4 | 2,082.4 | +755.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 452.7 | 412.4 | +40.3 |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 2.5 | +1.5 |
| Rape Rate | 18.2 | 21.4 | -3.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 62.7 | 77.4 | -14.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 367.8 | 310.9 | +56.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,384.7 | 1,670.0 | +714.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 272.8 | 187.4 | +85.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,962.3 | 1,087.1 | +875.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 149.6 | 395.5 | -246.0 |
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 2,837 for Cleveland — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 452.7 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Cleveland, TN
Cleveland, Tennessee, a city named for Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, sits in Bradley County at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It's home to Lee University, a prominent Church of God institution. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 49,482, Cleveland has a total crime rate of 2,837.4 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.