Is Downers Grove or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Downers Grove is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 75/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 985 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 53% lower. Downers Grove has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Downers Grove has a 90% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 28.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Downers Grove — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Downers Grove, IL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Downers Grove | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 984.5 | 2,082.4 | -1,097.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 113.0 | 412.4 | -299.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 2.5 | -0.5 |
| Rape Rate | 36.3 | 21.4 | +14.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 8.1 | 77.4 | -69.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 66.6 | 310.9 | -244.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 871.6 | 1,670.0 | -798.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 135.2 | 187.4 | -52.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 647.6 | 1,087.1 | -439.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 88.8 | 395.5 | -306.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Downers Grove or San Diego safer?
Downers Grove is safer with a total crime rate of 985 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 53% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Downers Grove has a violent crime rate of 113.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Downers Grove has lower violent crime.
About Downers Grove, IL
Downers Grove, a Chicago suburb, was founded by Stephen Downer in 1832. This affluent village in DuPage County is known for its historic Tivoli Theatre and proximity to major expressways. With a safety score of 75/100 and a population coverage of 49,567, Downers Grove has a total crime rate of 984.5 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.