Is Crystal Lake or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Crystal Lake is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 66/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,208 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 42% lower. Crystal Lake has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Crystal Lake has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 33.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Crystal Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Crystal Lake, IL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Crystal Lake | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,207.6 | 2,082.4 | -874.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 104.7 | 412.4 | -307.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 48.7 | 21.4 | +27.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 4.9 | 77.4 | -72.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 51.1 | 310.9 | -259.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,102.9 | 1,670.0 | -567.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 102.3 | 187.4 | -85.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 927.6 | 1,087.1 | -159.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 73.0 | 395.5 | -322.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crystal Lake or San Diego safer?
Crystal Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 1,208 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Crystal Lake has a violent crime rate of 104.7 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Crystal Lake has lower violent crime.
About Crystal Lake, IL
Crystal Lake, Illinois, a city named for its spring-fed lake, is home to over 40,000 residents in McHenry County. It was originally two separate communities, Nunda and Crystal Lake, before consolidating. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 41,074, Crystal Lake has a total crime rate of 1,207.6 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.