Is Northfield or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Northfield is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 56/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,502 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 28% lower. Northfield has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Northfield has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 65.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Northfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Northfield, MN
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Northfield | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,502.4 | 2,082.4 | -580.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 151.7 | 412.4 | -260.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 33.2 | 21.4 | +11.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 118.5 | 310.9 | -192.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,350.8 | 1,670.0 | -319.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 104.3 | 187.4 | -83.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,237.0 | 1,087.1 | +149.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 9.5 | 395.5 | -386.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northfield or San Diego safer?
Northfield is safer with a total crime rate of 1,502 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Northfield has a violent crime rate of 151.7 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Northfield has lower violent crime.
About Northfield, MN
Nestled on the Cannon River, Northfield is a historic college town home to Carleton and St. Olaf colleges. Its population of around 20,000 is largely composed of academics and their families. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 21,099, Northfield has a total crime rate of 1,502.4 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.