Is Rolla or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Rolla (Safety Score 38/100 vs 21/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,914 for Rolla — 29% lower. Rolla has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Rolla has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 67.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Rolla — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rolla, MO
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Rolla | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,913.9 | 2,082.4 | +831.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 374.0 | 412.4 | -38.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 63.1 | 21.4 | +41.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 19.4 | 77.4 | -58.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 291.4 | 310.9 | -19.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,539.9 | 1,670.0 | +869.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 335.1 | 187.4 | +147.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.4 | 1,087.1 | +928.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 189.4 | 395.5 | -206.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rolla or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,914 for Rolla — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Rolla has a violent crime rate of 374.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Rolla has lower violent crime.
About Rolla, MO
Rolla, a city in Phelps County, Missouri, is home to Missouri University of Science and Technology, a major employer. Situated in the Ozarks, it was founded in 1844 along the proposed route of the Pacific Railroad. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 20,591, Rolla has a total crime rate of 2,913.9 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.