Is Columbia or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Columbia (Safety Score 38/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,667 for Columbia — 22% lower. Columbia has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 75% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 10.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Columbia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, MO
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,666.6 | 2,082.4 | +584.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 349.1 | 412.4 | -63.3 |
| Murder Rate | 10.0 | 2.5 | +7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 38.4 | 21.4 | +17.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 39.9 | 77.4 | -37.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 259.3 | 310.9 | -51.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,317.5 | 1,670.0 | +647.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 332.9 | 187.4 | +145.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,605.6 | 1,087.1 | +518.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.0 | 395.5 | -16.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,667 for Columbia — a 22% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 349.1 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Columbia has lower violent crime.
About Columbia, MO
Columbia, home to the University of Missouri, is a vibrant college town in central Missouri's Boone County. Its "District" area features historic buildings and local businesses, reflecting its growth as a regional hub. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 130,354, Columbia has a total crime rate of 2,666.6 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.