Is Fort Payne or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fort Payne is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 47/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,775 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 15% lower. Fort Payne has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fort Payne has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 92.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fort Payne — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Payne, AL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Payne | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,775.2 | 2,082.4 | -307.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 160.2 | 412.4 | -252.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 20.0 | 21.4 | -1.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 140.2 | 310.9 | -170.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,615.1 | 1,670.0 | -55.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 287.0 | 187.4 | +99.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,194.6 | 1,087.1 | +107.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 133.5 | 395.5 | -262.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Payne or San Diego safer?
Fort Payne is safer with a total crime rate of 1,775 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Payne has a violent crime rate of 160.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Fort Payne has lower violent crime.
About Fort Payne, AL
Nestled in the Appalachian foothills, Fort Payne is a small city known as the "Sock Capital of the World." It was once home to the country music band Alabama and has a population of around 13,000. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 14,984, Fort Payne has a total crime rate of 1,775.2 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.