Is Des Moines or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Des Moines (Safety Score 38/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,831 for Des Moines — 46% lower. Des Moines has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where San Diego has a 47% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 6.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Des Moines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines, IA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,831.4 | 2,082.4 | +1,749.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 704.9 | 412.4 | +292.5 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 2.5 | +1.8 |
| Rape Rate | 51.1 | 21.4 | +29.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.0 | 77.4 | -2.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 572.5 | 310.9 | +261.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,126.5 | 1,670.0 | +1,456.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 462.6 | 187.4 | +275.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,142.0 | 1,087.1 | +1,054.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 521.9 | 395.5 | +126.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,831 for Des Moines — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 704.9 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Des Moines, IA
Des Moines, Iowa's capital, sits on the Des Moines River. It's known for its thriving insurance industry and has a growing population, with a median age in the mid-30s. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 209,245, Des Moines has a total crime rate of 3,831.4 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.