Is Johnston or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Johnston is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 81/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 826 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 60% lower. Johnston has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Johnston has a 90% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 56.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Johnston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Johnston, IA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Johnston | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 826.0 | 2,082.4 | -1,256.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 76.6 | 412.4 | -335.8 |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 2.5 | +1.5 |
| Rape Rate | 12.1 | 21.4 | -9.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 8.1 | 77.4 | -69.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 52.4 | 310.9 | -258.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 749.4 | 1,670.0 | -920.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 76.6 | 187.4 | -110.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 527.8 | 1,087.1 | -559.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 145.1 | 395.5 | -250.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Johnston or San Diego safer?
Johnston is safer with a total crime rate of 826 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Johnston has a violent crime rate of 76.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Johnston has lower violent crime.
About Johnston, IA
Johnston, a Des Moines suburb, is home to Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a major agricultural research company. Situated in Polk County, it boasts a growing population with a median age of around 38. With a safety score of 81/100 and a population coverage of 24,819, Johnston has a total crime rate of 826.0 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.