Is Palos Heights or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palos Heights is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 77/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 925 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 56% lower. Palos Heights has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Palos Heights has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 122.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Palos Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Palos Heights, IL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Palos Heights | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 924.9 | 2,082.4 | -1,157.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 61.7 | 412.4 | -350.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 35.2 | 21.4 | +13.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.6 | 77.4 | -59.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 8.8 | 310.9 | -302.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 863.2 | 1,670.0 | -806.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 88.1 | 187.4 | -99.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 766.3 | 1,087.1 | -320.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 8.8 | 395.5 | -386.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palos Heights or San Diego safer?
Palos Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 925 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Palos Heights has a violent crime rate of 61.7 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Palos Heights has lower violent crime.
About Palos Heights, IL
Palos Heights, a southwestern Chicago suburb, is home to Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens. This Cook County community, incorporated in 1959, features a mix of residential areas and local businesses. With a safety score of 77/100 and a population coverage of 11,353, Palos Heights has a total crime rate of 924.9 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.