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 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,060 for Columbia — 32% lower. Columbia has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 79% 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.
Columbia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, TN
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,060.3 | 2,082.4 | +977.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 573.2 | 412.4 | +160.8 |
| Murder Rate | 12.2 | 2.5 | +9.6 |
| Rape Rate | 52.7 | 21.4 | +31.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 32.4 | 77.4 | -45.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 476.0 | 310.9 | +165.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,487.1 | 1,670.0 | +817.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 923.6 | 187.4 | +736.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,403.6 | 1,087.1 | +316.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 160.0 | 395.5 | -235.5 |
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 3,060 for Columbia — a 32% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 573.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Columbia, TN
Columbia, the "Dimple of the Universe," is a historic Southern city known for its Antebellum architecture and as the birthplace of James K. Polk. Situated on the Duck River in Maury County, it's a growing community of over 40,000 residents. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 49,374, Columbia has a total crime rate of 3,060.3 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.