Is Pleasant Hill or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Pleasant Hill is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 83/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 766 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 63% lower. Pleasant Hill has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pleasant Hill has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 114.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Pleasant Hill — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pleasant Hill, IA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Pleasant Hill | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 766.3 | 2,082.4 | -1,316.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 173.0 | 412.4 | -239.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 33.0 | 21.4 | +11.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 16.5 | 77.4 | -60.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 123.6 | 310.9 | -187.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 593.2 | 1,670.0 | -1,076.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 16.5 | 187.4 | -170.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 395.5 | 1,087.1 | -691.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 181.3 | 395.5 | -214.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pleasant Hill or San Diego safer?
Pleasant Hill is safer with a total crime rate of 766 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Pleasant Hill has a violent crime rate of 173.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Pleasant Hill has lower violent crime.
About Pleasant Hill, IA
Pleasant Hill, a Des Moines suburb, was once known for its coal mines. This Polk County city, with a population around 10,000, offers residents a blend of suburban living and natural areas. With a safety score of 83/100 and a population coverage of 12,137, Pleasant Hill has a total crime rate of 766.3 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.