Is Jefferson City or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Jefferson City (Safety Score 38/100 vs 31/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,373 for Jefferson City — 12% lower. Jefferson City has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Jefferson City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 32.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Jefferson City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Jefferson City, MO
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Jefferson City | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,373.1 | 2,082.4 | +290.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 333.6 | 412.4 | -78.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 94.0 | 21.4 | +72.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 30.5 | 77.4 | -46.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 209.1 | 310.9 | -101.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,039.4 | 1,670.0 | +369.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 141.0 | 187.4 | -46.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,788.0 | 1,087.1 | +700.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 110.4 | 395.5 | -285.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jefferson City or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,373 for Jefferson City — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Jefferson City has a violent crime rate of 333.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Jefferson City has lower violent crime.
About Jefferson City, MO
Nestled on the Missouri River bluffs, Jefferson City is Missouri's state capital, home to the imposing Capitol building. This mid-sized city, with a population around 43,000, sits roughly in the center of the state. With a safety score of 31/100 and a population coverage of 42,561, Jefferson City has a total crime rate of 2,373.1 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.