Is Palatine or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palatine is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 74/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,010 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 51% lower. Palatine has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Palatine has a 88% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 21.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Palatine — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Palatine, IL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Palatine | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,010.0 | 2,082.4 | -1,072.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 68.8 | 412.4 | -343.6 |
| Murder Rate | 1.6 | 2.5 | -1.0 |
| Rape Rate | 17.2 | 21.4 | -4.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.4 | 77.4 | -68.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 39.1 | 310.9 | -271.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 941.2 | 1,670.0 | -728.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 211.1 | 187.4 | +23.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 666.0 | 1,087.1 | -421.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 64.1 | 395.5 | -331.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palatine or San Diego safer?
Palatine is safer with a total crime rate of 1,010 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Palatine has a violent crime rate of 68.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Palatine has lower violent crime.
About Palatine, IL
Palatine, a diverse northwest Chicago suburb, grew from a stop on the Chicago and North Western Railway. The village is home to over 68,000 residents and features a mix of residential areas and commercial centers. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 63,960, Palatine has a total crime rate of 1,010.0 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.