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 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,088 for Columbus — 33% lower. Columbus has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 79% lower rate.
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, OH
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbus | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,088.3 | 2,082.4 | +1,005.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 435.0 | 412.4 | +22.6 |
| Murder Rate | 12.2 | 2.5 | +9.7 |
| Rape Rate | 124.2 | 21.4 | +102.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 87.7 | 77.4 | +10.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 210.7 | 310.9 | -100.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,653.4 | 1,670.0 | +983.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 404.5 | 187.4 | +217.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,706.1 | 1,087.1 | +619.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 542.8 | 395.5 | +147.3 |
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 3,088 for Columbus — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbus has a violent crime rate of 435.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Columbus, OH
Columbus, Ohio, the state capital, sits at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers. Home to The Ohio State University, it's a diverse city with a growing population of over 900,000 residents. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 915,447, Columbus has a total crime rate of 3,088.3 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.