Is Ithaca or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Ithaca (Safety Score 38/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,412 for Ithaca — 39% lower. Ithaca has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Ithaca has a 52% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 41.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ithaca — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ithaca, NY
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ithaca | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,412.0 | 2,082.4 | +1,329.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 196.2 | 412.4 | -216.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.0 | 2.5 | +0.5 |
| Rape Rate | 17.8 | 21.4 | -3.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 47.6 | 77.4 | -29.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 127.8 | 310.9 | -183.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,215.8 | 1,670.0 | +1,545.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 329.9 | 187.4 | +142.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,838.4 | 1,087.1 | +1,751.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 47.6 | 395.5 | -348.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ithaca or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,412 for Ithaca — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ithaca has a violent crime rate of 196.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Ithaca has lower violent crime.
About Ithaca, NY
Ithaca, home to Cornell University, is a city nestled in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. Its dramatic gorges and waterfalls are a defining geographic feature, and its population is relatively young due to the presence of two colleges. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 33,646, Ithaca has a total crime rate of 3,412.0 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.