Is Madison or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Madison is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 55/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,538 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 26% lower. Madison has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Madison has a 79% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 22.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Madison — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Madison, AL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Madison | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,538.2 | 2,082.4 | -544.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 211.0 | 412.4 | -201.4 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 2.5 | +0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 29.0 | 21.4 | +7.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 16.1 | 77.4 | -61.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 162.7 | 310.9 | -148.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,327.2 | 1,670.0 | -342.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 106.3 | 187.4 | -81.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,124.2 | 1,087.1 | +37.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 96.6 | 395.5 | -298.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madison or San Diego safer?
Madison is safer with a total crime rate of 1,538 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Madison has a violent crime rate of 211.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Madison has lower violent crime.
About Madison, AL
Madison, Alabama, a rapidly growing city in North Alabama's Tennessee Valley, is home to Redstone Arsenal. Its population has surged, with many residents employed in aerospace and technology sectors. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 62,087, Madison has a total crime rate of 1,538.2 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.