Is Manhattan or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Manhattan is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 99/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 229 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 89% lower. Manhattan has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Manhattan has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 127.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Manhattan — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Manhattan, IL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Manhattan | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 229.1 | 2,082.4 | -1,853.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 36.7 | 412.4 | -375.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 9.2 | 21.4 | -12.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 27.5 | 310.9 | -283.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 192.5 | 1,670.0 | -1,477.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 18.3 | 187.4 | -169.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 165.0 | 1,087.1 | -922.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 9.2 | 395.5 | -386.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manhattan or San Diego safer?
Manhattan is safer with a total crime rate of 229 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 89% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Manhattan has a violent crime rate of 36.7 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Manhattan has lower violent crime.
About Manhattan, IL
Manhattan, Illinois, a village in Will County, was founded by German immigrants in the mid-19th century and named after New York City. This agricultural community, with a population around 8,000, is situated about 50 miles southwest of Chicago. With a safety score of 99/100 and a population coverage of 10,912, Manhattan has a total crime rate of 229.1 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.