Is Elon or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elon is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 96/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 388 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 81% lower. Elon has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Elon has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 119.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Elon — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elon, NC
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Elon | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 388.4 | 2,082.4 | -1,694.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 77.7 | 412.4 | -334.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 25.9 | 21.4 | +4.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 51.8 | 310.9 | -259.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 310.8 | 1,670.0 | -1,359.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 69.1 | 187.4 | -118.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 207.2 | 1,087.1 | -879.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 34.5 | 395.5 | -361.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elon or San Diego safer?
Elon is safer with a total crime rate of 388 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 81% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Elon has a violent crime rate of 77.7 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Elon has lower violent crime.
About Elon, NC
Elon, North Carolina, home to Elon University, is a small town in Alamance County. Its population is predominantly young due to the university's presence. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 11,585, Elon has a total crime rate of 388.4 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.