Is San Diego or Spencer Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Spencer is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 72/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,043 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 50% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Spencer has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 120.8x 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
Spencer — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Spencer, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Spencer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,043.4 | +1,039.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 52.2 | +360.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 26.1 | -4.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 17.4 | +60.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 8.7 | +302.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 991.2 | +678.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 95.6 | +91.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 895.6 | +191.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 0.0 | +395.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Spencer safer?
Spencer is safer with a total crime rate of 1,043 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Spencer has 52.2. Spencer 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 Spencer, IA
Spencer, Iowa, a town of around 11,000 residents in Clay County, is known for its annual Clay County Fair, one of the largest in the nation. Situated along the Little Sioux River, it serves as a regional hub for agriculture and commerce in northwest Iowa. With a safety score of 72/100 and a population coverage of 11,501, Spencer has a total crime rate of 1,043.4 per 100,000 residents.