Is Evanston or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Evanston (Safety Score 38/100 vs 21/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,884 for Evanston — 28% lower. Evanston has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Evanston has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 18.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Evanston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Evanston, IL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Evanston | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,883.6 | 2,082.4 | +801.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 141.6 | 412.4 | -270.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 31.0 | 21.4 | +9.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 55.3 | 77.4 | -22.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 55.3 | 310.9 | -255.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,742.1 | 1,670.0 | +1,072.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 451.6 | 187.4 | +264.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,054.5 | 1,087.1 | +967.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 235.9 | 395.5 | -159.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Evanston or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,884 for Evanston — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Evanston has a violent crime rate of 141.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Evanston has lower violent crime.
About Evanston, IL
Evanston, a Chicago suburb on Lake Michigan, is home to Northwestern University, a prestigious private institution. Its diverse population reflects a mix of students, families, and long-time residents. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 74,178, Evanston has a total crime rate of 2,883.6 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.