Is Greenville or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Greenville (Safety Score 38/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,114 for Greenville — 49% lower. Greenville has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 74% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 18.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Greenville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Greenville, SC
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Greenville | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,114.2 | 2,082.4 | +2,031.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 645.7 | 412.4 | +233.4 |
| Murder Rate | 9.5 | 2.5 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 30.0 | 21.4 | +8.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.0 | 77.4 | -13.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 540.8 | 310.9 | +229.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,468.4 | 1,670.0 | +1,798.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 303.8 | 187.4 | +116.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,858.1 | 1,087.1 | +1,771.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 306.5 | 395.5 | -89.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Greenville or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,114 for Greenville — a 49% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Greenville has a violent crime rate of 645.7 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Greenville, SC
Greenville, a city in the Upstate region, boasts a revitalized downtown along the Reedy River. It’s known for its textile industry heritage and a growing population of over 70,000 residents. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 73,405, Greenville has a total crime rate of 4,114.2 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.