Is San Diego or Sioux Falls Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Sioux Falls (Safety Score 38/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,442 for Sioux Falls — 39% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 62% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 6.6x 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
Sioux Falls — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Sioux Falls, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Sioux Falls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 3,442.0 | -1,359.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 526.7 | -114.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 6.6 | -4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 28.0 | -6.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 47.4 | +30.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 444.7 | -133.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,915.2 | -1,245.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 303.0 | -115.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,174.7 | -1,087.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 437.6 | -42.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Sioux Falls safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,442 for Sioux Falls — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Sioux Falls has 526.7. 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 Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls, named for the Big Sioux River and its waterfalls, is South Dakota's largest city. It's a regional hub for healthcare and finance, with a growing population of over 200,000 residents. The city's economy has historically been tied to agriculture. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 210,926, Sioux Falls has a total crime rate of 3,442.0 per 100,000 residents.