Is Portage or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Portage (Safety Score 38/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,252 for Portage — 36% lower. Portage has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Portage has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 28.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Portage — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portage, MI
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Portage | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,252.0 | 2,082.4 | +1,169.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 277.2 | 412.4 | -135.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 48.6 | 21.4 | +27.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 20.2 | 77.4 | -57.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 208.4 | 310.9 | -102.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,974.8 | 1,670.0 | +1,304.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 269.1 | 187.4 | +81.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,545.7 | 1,087.1 | +1,458.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 159.9 | 395.5 | -235.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portage or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,252 for Portage — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Portage has a violent crime rate of 277.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Portage has lower violent crime.
About Portage, MI
Portage, Michigan, a Kalamazoo suburb, grew significantly after World War II. It's home to the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, and its population is predominantly white, with a median age of around 40. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 49,416, Portage has a total crime rate of 3,252.0 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.