Is Mason City or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Mason City (Safety Score 38/100 vs 27/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,546 for Mason City — 18% lower. Mason City has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Mason City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 51.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Mason City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mason City, IA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Mason City | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,546.1 | 2,082.4 | +463.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 224.0 | 412.4 | -188.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 100.8 | 21.4 | +79.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 14.9 | 77.4 | -62.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 108.3 | 310.9 | -202.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,322.1 | 1,670.0 | +652.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 313.6 | 187.4 | +126.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,937.6 | 1,087.1 | +850.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 70.9 | 395.5 | -324.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mason City or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,546 for Mason City — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Mason City has a violent crime rate of 224.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Mason City has lower violent crime.
About Mason City, IA
Mason City, Iowa, a regional hub in north-central Iowa, is known for its Prairie School architecture, including a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house. Its population of around 27,000 resides amidst fertile agricultural land. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 26,786, Mason City has a total crime rate of 2,546.1 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.