Is Kearney or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kearney is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 43/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,926 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 8% lower. Kearney has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Kearney has a 78% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 40.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Kearney — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kearney, NE
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Kearney | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,926.1 | 2,082.4 | -156.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 301.2 | 412.4 | -111.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.9 | 2.5 | +0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 98.5 | 21.4 | +77.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.4 | 77.4 | -60.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 182.5 | 310.9 | -128.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,624.9 | 1,670.0 | -45.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 168.0 | 187.4 | -19.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,349.8 | 1,087.1 | +262.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 107.2 | 395.5 | -288.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kearney or San Diego safer?
Kearney is safer with a total crime rate of 1,926 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Kearney has a violent crime rate of 301.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Kearney has lower violent crime.
About Kearney, NE
Kearney, Nebraska, a city bisected by the historic Transcontinental Railroad, sits on the Great Platte River Road. It's home to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, contributing to a youthful demographic. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 34,525, Kearney has a total crime rate of 1,926.1 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.