Is Owatonna or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Owatonna is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 76/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 971 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 53% lower. Owatonna has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Owatonna has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 52.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Owatonna — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Owatonna, MN
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Owatonna | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 970.9 | 2,082.4 | -1,111.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 150.5 | 412.4 | -261.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 37.6 | 21.4 | +16.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.5 | 77.4 | -69.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 105.4 | 310.9 | -205.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 820.4 | 1,670.0 | -849.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 109.1 | 187.4 | -78.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 624.7 | 1,087.1 | -462.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 86.6 | 395.5 | -309.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Owatonna or San Diego safer?
Owatonna is safer with a total crime rate of 971 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 53% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Owatonna has a violent crime rate of 150.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Owatonna has lower violent crime.
About Owatonna, MN
Owatonna, Minnesota, a city of about 26,000 residents in Steele County, is home to the National Farmers' Bank, a Louis Sullivan-designed architectural masterpiece. Situated at the confluence of the Straight and Maple Rivers, its economy has historical roots in agriculture and manufacturing. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 26,573, Owatonna has a total crime rate of 970.9 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.