Is Dubuque or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Dubuque is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 45/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,836 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 12% lower. Dubuque has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Dubuque has a 69% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 23.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dubuque — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dubuque, IA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dubuque | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,835.6 | 2,082.4 | -246.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 400.9 | 412.4 | -11.5 |
| Murder Rate | 1.7 | 2.5 | -0.8 |
| Rape Rate | 80.2 | 21.4 | +58.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 23.9 | 77.4 | -53.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 295.1 | 310.9 | -15.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,434.7 | 1,670.0 | -235.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 228.6 | 187.4 | +41.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,112.3 | 1,087.1 | +25.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 93.8 | 395.5 | -301.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dubuque or San Diego safer?
Dubuque is safer with a total crime rate of 1,836 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dubuque has a violent crime rate of 400.9 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Dubuque has lower violent crime.
About Dubuque, IA
Perched on the Mississippi River, Dubuque is Iowa's oldest city, boasting a rich industrial past. This Tri-State Area hub, with a population around 60,000, sits at the convergence of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. With a safety score of 45/100 and a population coverage of 58,620, Dubuque has a total crime rate of 1,835.6 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.