Is San Diego or Shelby Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Shelby (Safety Score 38/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,477 for Shelby — 40% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 89% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 63.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Shelby — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Shelby, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Shelby | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 3,477.4 | -1,395.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 1,044.1 | -631.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 22.7 | -20.2 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 49.9 | -28.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 77.2 | +0.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 894.3 | -583.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,433.3 | -763.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 485.8 | -298.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,716.0 | -628.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 231.5 | +164.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Shelby safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,477 for Shelby — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Shelby has 1,044.1. San Diego has lower violent crime.
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.
About Shelby, NC
Shelby, NC, a foothills city in Cleveland County, is home to the Earl Scruggs Center celebrating the bluegrass legend. Its population is approximately 20,000. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 22,028, Shelby has a total crime rate of 3,477.4 per 100,000 residents.