Is Fort Dodge or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Fort Dodge (Safety Score 38/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,257 for Fort Dodge — 51% lower. Fort Dodge has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where San Diego has a 61% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 56.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fort Dodge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Dodge, IA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Dodge | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,256.8 | 2,082.4 | +2,174.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,061.1 | 412.4 | +648.8 |
| Murder Rate | 4.1 | 2.5 | +1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 151.0 | 21.4 | +129.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 53.1 | 77.4 | -24.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 853.0 | 310.9 | +542.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,195.7 | 1,670.0 | +1,525.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 416.3 | 187.4 | +228.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,465.1 | 1,087.1 | +1,378.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 314.3 | 395.5 | -81.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Dodge or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,257 for Fort Dodge — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Dodge has a violent crime rate of 1,061.1 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Fort Dodge, IA
Fort Dodge, a city in Webster County, Iowa, sits on the Des Moines River. Historically a gypsum mining hub, it boasts a population of around 25,000. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 24,502, Fort Dodge has a total crime rate of 4,256.8 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.