Is Jacksonville or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Jacksonville (Safety Score 38/100 vs 30/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,406 for Jacksonville — 13% lower. Jacksonville has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 78% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 81.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Jacksonville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Jacksonville, IL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Jacksonville | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,406.3 | 2,082.4 | +323.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 303.7 | 412.4 | -108.7 |
| Murder Rate | 11.7 | 2.5 | +9.2 |
| Rape Rate | 81.8 | 21.4 | +60.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 29.2 | 77.4 | -48.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 181.1 | 310.9 | -129.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,102.6 | 1,670.0 | +432.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 461.4 | 187.4 | +274.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,489.3 | 1,087.1 | +402.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 151.9 | 395.5 | -243.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jacksonville or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,406 for Jacksonville — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Jacksonville has a violent crime rate of 303.7 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Jacksonville has lower violent crime.
About Jacksonville, IL
Jacksonville, Illinois, a city of 17,000 in Morgan County, is home to Illinois College, founded in 1829. It sits on the historic alignment of U.S. Route 67, roughly 35 miles west of Springfield. With a safety score of 30/100 and a population coverage of 17,122, Jacksonville has a total crime rate of 2,406.3 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.