Is Huntsville or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Huntsville (Safety Score 38/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,872 for Huntsville — 27% lower. Huntsville has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 70% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 6.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Huntsville — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Huntsville, AL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Huntsville | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,871.9 | 2,082.4 | +789.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 483.6 | 412.4 | +71.2 |
| Murder Rate | 8.3 | 2.5 | +5.8 |
| Rape Rate | 48.5 | 21.4 | +27.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 53.8 | 77.4 | -23.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 372.6 | 310.9 | +61.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,388.3 | 1,670.0 | +718.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 321.4 | 187.4 | +134.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,808.9 | 1,087.1 | +721.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 258.0 | 395.5 | -137.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Huntsville or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,872 for Huntsville — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Huntsville has a violent crime rate of 483.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Huntsville, AL
Huntsville, Alabama, a city rooted in aerospace since the Space Race, sits in the Appalachian foothills. It's a growing tech hub with a significant population of highly educated professionals. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 228,697, Huntsville has a total crime rate of 2,871.9 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.