Is Norman or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Norman (Safety Score 38/100 vs 28/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,530 for Norman — 18% lower. Norman has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Norman has a 76% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 10.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Norman — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Norman, OK
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Norman | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,529.8 | 2,082.4 | +447.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 263.2 | 412.4 | -149.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.8 | 2.5 | -1.8 |
| Rape Rate | 39.0 | 21.4 | +17.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 18.4 | 77.4 | -59.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 202.0 | 310.9 | -108.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,266.6 | 1,670.0 | +596.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 351.2 | 187.4 | +163.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.3 | 1,087.1 | +600.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 228.0 | 395.5 | -167.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Norman or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,530 for Norman — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Norman has a violent crime rate of 263.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Norman has lower violent crime.
About Norman, OK
Norman, Oklahoma, home to the University of Oklahoma, is a city in Cleveland County with a significant student population. Located just south of Oklahoma City, it lies within the Cross Timbers eco-region. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 130,681, Norman has a total crime rate of 2,529.8 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.