Is Gadsden or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Gadsden (Safety Score 38/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,159 for Gadsden — 34% lower. Gadsden has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 79% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 42.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gadsden — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gadsden, AL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gadsden | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,159.2 | 2,082.4 | +1,076.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 581.6 | 412.4 | +169.2 |
| Murder Rate | 12.1 | 2.5 | +9.6 |
| Rape Rate | 12.1 | 21.4 | -9.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 48.5 | 77.4 | -28.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 508.9 | 310.9 | +197.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,577.6 | 1,670.0 | +907.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 293.8 | 187.4 | +106.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,065.7 | 1,087.1 | +978.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 218.1 | 395.5 | -177.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gadsden or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,159 for Gadsden — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gadsden has a violent crime rate of 581.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Gadsden, AL
Gadsden, a city in northeast Alabama's Appalachian foothills, sits on the Coosa River. It was a major industrial hub, home to Republic Steel, and is the county seat of Etowah County. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 33,015, Gadsden has a total crime rate of 3,159.2 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.