Is Elmira or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Elmira (Safety Score 38/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,684 for Elmira — 56% lower. Elmira has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where San Diego has a 60% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 53.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Elmira — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elmira, NY
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Elmira | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,684.3 | 2,082.4 | +2,601.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 547.3 | 412.4 | +134.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.8 | 2.5 | +1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 19.1 | 21.4 | -2.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 84.2 | 77.4 | +6.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 440.1 | 310.9 | +129.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,137.0 | 1,670.0 | +2,467.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 428.6 | 187.4 | +241.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,631.8 | 1,087.1 | +2,544.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 76.5 | 395.5 | -319.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elmira or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,684 for Elmira — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Elmira has a violent crime rate of 547.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Elmira, NY
Elmira, a city in Chemung County, sits along the Chemung River in the Southern Tier of New York. It was home to a Civil War prison camp and is known for its historic architecture. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 26,130, Elmira has a total crime rate of 4,684.3 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.