Is Normal or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Normal is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 44/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,879 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 10% lower. Normal has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Normal has a 80% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 26.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Normal — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Normal, IL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Normal | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,879.3 | 2,082.4 | -203.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 329.1 | 412.4 | -83.3 |
| Murder Rate | 3.8 | 2.5 | +1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 95.1 | 21.4 | +73.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 15.2 | 77.4 | -62.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 214.9 | 310.9 | -96.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,550.2 | 1,670.0 | -119.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 232.1 | 187.4 | +44.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,232.6 | 1,087.1 | +145.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 85.6 | 395.5 | -309.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Normal or San Diego safer?
Normal is safer with a total crime rate of 1,879 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Normal has a violent crime rate of 329.1 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Normal has lower violent crime.
About Normal, IL
Normal, Illinois, home to Illinois State University, is a college town in McLean County. Situated in central Illinois, its population is around 55,000. With a safety score of 44/100 and a population coverage of 52,573, Normal has a total crime rate of 1,879.3 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.