Is Columbus or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbus is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 74/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,012 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 51% lower. Columbus has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Columbus has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 56.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, NE
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbus | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,012.4 | 2,082.4 | -1,070.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 85.4 | 412.4 | -327.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 44.7 | 21.4 | +23.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 4.1 | 77.4 | -73.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 36.6 | 310.9 | -274.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 927.0 | 1,670.0 | -743.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 93.5 | 187.4 | -93.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 768.5 | 1,087.1 | -318.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 65.1 | 395.5 | -330.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus or San Diego safer?
Columbus is safer with a total crime rate of 1,012 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbus has a violent crime rate of 85.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Columbus has lower violent crime.
About Columbus, NE
Columbus, Nebraska, a city named after Christopher Columbus, sits on the Loup and Platte Rivers. It is the county seat of Platte County and has a population of over 24,000. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 24,595, Columbus has a total crime rate of 1,012.4 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.