Is Ottumwa or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Ottumwa (Safety Score 38/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,014 for Ottumwa — 31% lower. Ottumwa has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 68% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 55.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ottumwa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ottumwa, IA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ottumwa | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,013.7 | 2,082.4 | +931.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 397.1 | 412.4 | -15.3 |
| Murder Rate | 7.9 | 2.5 | +5.4 |
| Rape Rate | 83.4 | 21.4 | +62.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 27.8 | 77.4 | -49.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 277.9 | 310.9 | -33.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,616.6 | 1,670.0 | +946.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 428.8 | 187.4 | +241.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,945.6 | 1,087.1 | +858.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 242.2 | 395.5 | -153.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ottumwa or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,014 for Ottumwa — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ottumwa has a violent crime rate of 397.1 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Ottumwa has lower violent crime.
About Ottumwa, IA
Ottumwa, once a prominent coal mining center and home to the Beach Ottumwa water park, is a city in Wapello County, Iowa, situated along the Des Moines River. Its population was around 25,000 residents in 2020. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 25,185, Ottumwa has a total crime rate of 3,013.7 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.