Is Decatur or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Decatur (Safety Score 38/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,471 for Decatur — 40% lower. Decatur has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 66% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 20.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Decatur — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Decatur, IL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Decatur | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,471.0 | 2,082.4 | +1,388.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 603.5 | 412.4 | +191.2 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 2.5 | +4.8 |
| Rape Rate | 45.6 | 21.4 | +24.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 94.2 | 77.4 | +16.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 454.9 | 310.9 | +143.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,867.5 | 1,670.0 | +1,197.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 927.4 | 187.4 | +740.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,532.4 | 1,087.1 | +445.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 407.8 | 395.5 | +12.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Decatur or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,471 for Decatur — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Decatur has a violent crime rate of 603.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Decatur, IL
Decatur, a Central Illinois city, sits on the Sangamon River and boasts a rich agricultural heritage. It's home to Millikin University and a diverse population, with a significant portion of its residents identifying as African American. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 67,934, Decatur has a total crime rate of 3,471.0 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.