Is San Diego or South Charleston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than South Charleston (Safety Score 38/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 6,009 for South Charleston — 65% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where South Charleston has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 106.0x 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
South Charleston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
South Charleston, WV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | South Charleston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 6,008.6 | -3,926.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 488.6 | -76.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 22.9 | -1.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 22.9 | +54.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 442.8 | -131.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 5,519.9 | -3,849.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 282.5 | -95.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 5,061.8 | -3,974.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 175.6 | +219.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or South Charleston safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 6,009 for South Charleston — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while South Charleston has 488.6. 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 South Charleston, WV
South Charleston, a Kanawha Valley city, is home to the Mound, an ancient Adena burial site. Situated along the Kanawha River, it has historically been a hub for chemical manufacturing. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 13,098, South Charleston has a total crime rate of 6,008.6 per 100,000 residents.