Is Johnstown or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Johnstown (Safety Score 38/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,221 for Johnstown — 35% lower. Johnstown has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 92% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 69.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Johnstown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Johnstown, PA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Johnstown | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,220.7 | 2,082.4 | +1,138.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 586.5 | 412.4 | +174.1 |
| Murder Rate | 29.8 | 2.5 | +27.3 |
| Rape Rate | 49.7 | 21.4 | +28.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 134.2 | 77.4 | +56.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 372.8 | 310.9 | +61.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,634.2 | 1,670.0 | +964.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 457.3 | 187.4 | +269.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,022.9 | 1,087.1 | +935.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 154.1 | 395.5 | -241.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Johnstown or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,221 for Johnstown — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Johnstown has a violent crime rate of 586.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Johnstown, PA
Nestled in a flood-prone valley, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is a former industrial hub famous for the devastating 1889 flood. This small city in Cambria County reflects a lingering rust belt heritage. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 20,120, Johnstown has a total crime rate of 3,220.7 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.