Is Ruston or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Ruston (Safety Score 38/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,387 for Ruston — 39% lower. Ruston has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 81% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 62.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ruston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ruston, LA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ruston | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,387.4 | 2,082.4 | +1,305.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 431.3 | 412.4 | +18.9 |
| Murder Rate | 13.5 | 2.5 | +11.0 |
| Rape Rate | 22.5 | 21.4 | +1.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 40.4 | 77.4 | -37.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 350.4 | 310.9 | +39.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,956.1 | 1,670.0 | +1,286.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 359.4 | 187.4 | +172.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,412.5 | 1,087.1 | +1,325.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 184.2 | 395.5 | -211.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ruston or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,387 for Ruston — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ruston has a violent crime rate of 431.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Ruston, LA
Ruston, Louisiana, is home to Louisiana Tech University, a public research institution. Situated in Lincoln Parish, it's a small city in north-central Louisiana, known for its annual Peach Festival. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 22,259, Ruston has a total crime rate of 3,387.4 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.