Is Gardendale or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gardendale is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 47/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,785 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 14% lower. Gardendale has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Gardendale has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 86.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gardendale — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gardendale, AL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gardendale | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,785.4 | 2,082.4 | -297.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 192.2 | 412.4 | -220.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 21.4 | -21.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 6.2 | 77.4 | -71.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 186.0 | 310.9 | -125.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,593.2 | 1,670.0 | -76.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 117.8 | 187.4 | -69.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,308.0 | 1,087.1 | +221.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 167.4 | 395.5 | -228.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gardendale or San Diego safer?
Gardendale is safer with a total crime rate of 1,785 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gardendale has a violent crime rate of 192.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Gardendale has lower violent crime.
About Gardendale, AL
Gardendale, a northern suburb of Birmingham, was historically known as "Jugtown" for its pottery industry. Today, it's a growing community experiencing an influx of younger families. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 16,131, Gardendale has a total crime rate of 1,785.4 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.