Is Elko or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elko 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. Elko has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Elko has a 75% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 66.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Elko — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elko, NV
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Elko | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,836.0 | 2,082.4 | -246.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 397.9 | 412.4 | -14.5 |
| Murder Rate | 9.6 | 2.5 | +7.1 |
| Rape Rate | 91.1 | 21.4 | +69.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 19.2 | 77.4 | -58.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 278.0 | 310.9 | -32.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,438.1 | 1,670.0 | -231.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 273.2 | 187.4 | +85.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 963.5 | 1,087.1 | -123.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 201.3 | 395.5 | -194.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elko or San Diego safer?
Elko 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?
Elko has a violent crime rate of 397.9 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Elko has lower violent crime.
About Elko, NV
Elko, a high desert city in northeastern Nevada, is known as the "Heart of Northeast Nevada" and for hosting the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Its economy has historical ties to ranching and gold mining. With a safety score of 45/100 and a population coverage of 20,861, Elko has a total crime rate of 1,836.0 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.