Is Ottawa or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ottawa is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 50/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,683 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 19% lower. Ottawa has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ottawa has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 74.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ottawa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ottawa, IL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ottawa | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,682.5 | 2,082.4 | -399.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 187.0 | 412.4 | -225.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 64.1 | 21.4 | +42.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.3 | 77.4 | -72.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 117.5 | 310.9 | -193.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,495.6 | 1,670.0 | -174.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 288.4 | 187.4 | +101.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,116.3 | 1,087.1 | +29.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 90.8 | 395.5 | -304.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ottawa or San Diego safer?
Ottawa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,683 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ottawa has a violent crime rate of 187.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Ottawa has lower violent crime.
About Ottawa, IL
Ottawa, Illinois, nestled at the confluence of the Fox and Illinois Rivers, was the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate. This LaSalle County seat has a population of around 18,000. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 18,722, Ottawa has a total crime rate of 1,682.5 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.