Is Dekalb or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Dekalb (Safety Score 38/100 vs 21/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,907 for Dekalb — 28% lower. Dekalb has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Dekalb has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 34.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dekalb — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dekalb, IL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dekalb | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,907.4 | 2,082.4 | +825.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 393.0 | 412.4 | -19.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 151.7 | 21.4 | +130.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 34.8 | 77.4 | -42.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 206.4 | 310.9 | -104.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,514.4 | 1,670.0 | +844.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 338.2 | 187.4 | +150.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,124.0 | 1,087.1 | +1,036.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 52.2 | 395.5 | -343.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dekalb or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,907 for Dekalb — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dekalb has a violent crime rate of 393.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Dekalb has lower violent crime.
About Dekalb, IL
DeKalb, Illinois, home to Northern Illinois University, is a city in DeKalb County, about 65 miles west of Chicago. It's known as the "Barb City" due to Joseph Glidden's invention of barbed wire here. The population is diverse, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 40,208, Dekalb has a total crime rate of 2,907.4 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.