Is River Forest or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than River Forest (Safety Score 38/100 vs 27/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,563 for River Forest — 19% lower. River Forest has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where River Forest has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 125.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
River Forest — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
River Forest, IL
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | River Forest | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,563.2 | 2,082.4 | +480.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 90.3 | 412.4 | -322.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 21.4 | -21.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 45.1 | 77.4 | -32.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 45.1 | 310.9 | -265.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,472.9 | 1,670.0 | +802.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 577.6 | 187.4 | +390.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,841.2 | 1,087.1 | +754.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 54.2 | 395.5 | -341.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is River Forest or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,563 for River Forest — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
River Forest has a violent crime rate of 90.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. River Forest has lower violent crime.
About River Forest, IL
River Forest is an affluent, tree-lined Chicago suburb known for its historic architecture, including numerous Frank Lloyd Wright homes. Situated along the Des Plaines River, it boasts a highly educated population. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 11,080, River Forest has a total crime rate of 2,563.2 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.