Is Onalaska or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Onalaska (Safety Score 38/100 vs 32/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,329 for Onalaska — 11% lower. Onalaska has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Onalaska has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 72.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Onalaska — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Onalaska, WI
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Onalaska | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,328.5 | 2,082.4 | +246.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 36.7 | 412.4 | -375.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.0 | 21.4 | -0.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 15.7 | 310.9 | -295.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,291.8 | 1,670.0 | +621.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 83.9 | 187.4 | -103.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,186.9 | 1,087.1 | +1,099.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 21.0 | 395.5 | -374.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Onalaska or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,329 for Onalaska — a 11% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Onalaska has a violent crime rate of 36.7 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Onalaska has lower violent crime.
About Onalaska, WI
Onalaska, Wisconsin, nestled along the Black River, is a La Crosse suburb known as "The Sunfish Capital of the World." Its population of over 19,000 residents enjoys a mix of residential areas and commercial development. With a safety score of 32/100 and a population coverage of 19,068, Onalaska has a total crime rate of 2,328.5 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.