Is Cottage Grove or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cottage Grove is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 84/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 721 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 65% lower. Cottage Grove has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cottage Grove has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 32.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cottage Grove — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cottage Grove, MN
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cottage Grove | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 721.1 | 2,082.4 | -1,361.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 39.4 | 412.4 | -373.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 16.2 | 21.4 | -5.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.3 | 77.4 | -68.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 13.9 | 310.9 | -297.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 681.6 | 1,670.0 | -988.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 60.3 | 187.4 | -127.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 582.0 | 1,087.1 | -505.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 39.4 | 395.5 | -356.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cottage Grove or San Diego safer?
Cottage Grove is safer with a total crime rate of 721 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cottage Grove has a violent crime rate of 39.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Cottage Grove has lower violent crime.
About Cottage Grove, MN
Cottage Grove, a Mississippi River town southeast of St. Paul, was once a thriving logging community. This Washington County suburb has grown significantly in recent decades, with a population exceeding 39,000. With a safety score of 84/100 and a population coverage of 43,131, Cottage Grove has a total crime rate of 721.1 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.