Is Fort Collins or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Fort Collins (Safety Score 38/100 vs 30/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,429 for Fort Collins — 14% lower. Fort Collins has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Fort Collins has a 68% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 8.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fort Collins — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Collins, CO
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Collins | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,429.2 | 2,082.4 | +346.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 273.9 | 412.4 | -138.5 |
| Murder Rate | 1.8 | 2.5 | -0.8 |
| Rape Rate | 22.9 | 21.4 | +1.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 24.6 | 77.4 | -52.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 223.5 | 310.9 | -87.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,155.3 | 1,670.0 | +485.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 228.7 | 187.4 | +41.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,742.4 | 1,087.1 | +655.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 184.2 | 395.5 | -211.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Collins or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,429 for Fort Collins — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Collins has a violent crime rate of 273.9 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Fort Collins has lower violent crime.
About Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins, home to Colorado State University, is a vibrant city nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Its economy benefits from a strong craft brewing industry and a young, educated population. With a safety score of 30/100 and a population coverage of 170,509, Fort Collins has a total crime rate of 2,429.2 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.