Is Joplin or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Joplin (Safety Score 38/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,681 for Joplin — 56% lower. Joplin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Joplin has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 25.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Joplin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joplin, MO
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Joplin | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,681.2 | 2,082.4 | +2,598.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 560.4 | 412.4 | +148.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 89.7 | 21.4 | +68.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 52.3 | 77.4 | -25.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 418.4 | 310.9 | +107.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,120.8 | 1,670.0 | +2,450.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 416.6 | 187.4 | +229.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,298.9 | 1,087.1 | +2,211.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 405.4 | 395.5 | +9.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joplin or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,681 for Joplin — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Joplin has a violent crime rate of 560.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Joplin, MO
Joplin, a city along historic Route 66, sits in Missouri's southwestern corner. Its economy has historically been tied to lead and zinc mining. The population is around 50,000 residents. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 53,533, Joplin has a total crime rate of 4,681.2 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.