Is Independence or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Independence (Safety Score 38/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,096 for Independence — 49% lower. Independence has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 72% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 11.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Independence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Independence, MO
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Independence | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,095.8 | 2,082.4 | +2,013.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 572.0 | 412.4 | +159.7 |
| Murder Rate | 9.2 | 2.5 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 89.8 | 21.4 | +68.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.7 | 77.4 | -1.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 396.6 | 310.9 | +85.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,523.7 | 1,670.0 | +1,853.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 407.4 | 187.4 | +220.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,301.5 | 1,087.1 | +1,214.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 814.8 | 395.5 | +419.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Independence or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,096 for Independence — a 49% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Independence has a violent crime rate of 572.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Independence, MO
Independence, Missouri, a city of about 120,000 residents, is historically significant as the starting point of the Oregon, Santa Fe, and California Trails. Located just east of Kansas City, it's a prominent suburb with a rich past. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 120,271, Independence has a total crime rate of 4,095.8 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.