Is Pontiac or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Pontiac is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 53/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,597 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 23% lower. Pontiac has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pontiac has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 126.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Pontiac — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pontiac, IL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Pontiac | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,597.0 | 2,082.4 | -485.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 237.3 | 412.4 | -175.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 109.5 | 21.4 | +88.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 127.8 | 310.9 | -183.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,359.7 | 1,670.0 | -310.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 109.5 | 187.4 | -77.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,204.6 | 1,087.1 | +117.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 45.6 | 395.5 | -349.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pontiac or San Diego safer?
Pontiac is safer with a total crime rate of 1,597 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Pontiac has a violent crime rate of 237.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Pontiac has lower violent crime.
About Pontiac, IL
Pontiac, Illinois, the county seat of Livingston County, is a small city on the Vermilion River. It's home to several historic Route 66 attractions and has a population of around 11,000. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 10,958, Pontiac has a total crime rate of 1,597.0 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.