Is Kettering or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kettering is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 55/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,543 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 26% lower. Kettering has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Kettering has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 24.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Kettering — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kettering, OH
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Kettering | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,543.4 | 2,082.4 | -539.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 42.4 | 412.4 | -370.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 17.7 | 21.4 | -3.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 12.4 | 77.4 | -65.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 12.4 | 310.9 | -298.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,501.0 | 1,670.0 | -169.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 155.6 | 187.4 | -31.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,196.9 | 1,087.1 | +109.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 148.5 | 395.5 | -247.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kettering or San Diego safer?
Kettering is safer with a total crime rate of 1,543 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Kettering has a violent crime rate of 42.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Kettering has lower violent crime.
About Kettering, OH
Kettering, a Dayton suburb, is home to the Fraze Pavilion outdoor amphitheater. This affluent city in Montgomery County has a population of over 57,000. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 56,562, Kettering has a total crime rate of 1,543.4 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.