Is Columbus or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Columbus (Safety Score 38/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,844 for Columbus — 27% lower. Columbus has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 81% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 6.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Columbus — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, GA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbus | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,843.9 | 2,082.4 | +761.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 608.3 | 412.4 | +195.9 |
| Murder Rate | 12.9 | 2.5 | +10.4 |
| Rape Rate | 25.4 | 21.4 | +4.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.7 | 77.4 | -26.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 514.8 | 310.9 | +203.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,235.6 | 1,670.0 | +565.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 353.6 | 187.4 | +166.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,635.8 | 1,087.1 | +548.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 246.2 | 395.5 | -149.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,844 for Columbus — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbus has a violent crime rate of 608.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Columbus, GA
Columbus, Georgia, a city on the Chattahoochee River, is home to Fort Moore, a major US Army installation. Its population of over 200,000 residents enjoys a vibrant arts scene and a rich industrial heritage. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 201,061, Columbus has a total crime rate of 2,843.9 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.