Is Cortland or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Cortland (Safety Score 38/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,181 for Cortland — 35% lower. Cortland has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cortland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 80.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cortland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cortland, NY
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cortland | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,180.8 | 2,082.4 | +1,098.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 226.8 | 412.4 | -185.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 40.7 | 21.4 | +19.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 11.6 | 77.4 | -65.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 174.5 | 310.9 | -136.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,954.0 | 1,670.0 | +1,284.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 325.6 | 187.4 | +138.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,581.9 | 1,087.1 | +1,494.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 46.5 | 395.5 | -349.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cortland or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,181 for Cortland — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cortland has a violent crime rate of 226.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Cortland has lower violent crime.
About Cortland, NY
Cortland, "The Crown City," sits in Central New York's hills. Home to SUNY Cortland, it's a small city with a population around 19,000. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 17,197, Cortland has a total crime rate of 3,180.8 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.