Is San Diego or St. Charles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, St. Charles is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 73/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,023 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 51% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where St. Charles has a 77% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 19.3x 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
St. Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
St. Charles, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | St. Charles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,023.0 | +1,059.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 135.8 | +276.5 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 4.2 | -1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 18.0 | +3.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 18.0 | +59.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 94.3 | +216.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 887.1 | +782.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 54.1 | +133.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 702.8 | +384.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 130.3 | +265.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or St. Charles safer?
St. Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 1,023 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while St. Charles has 135.8. St. Charles 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 St. Charles, MO
St. Charles, Missouri, a historic city along the Missouri River, served as the first state capital. It's the county seat of St. Charles County, a rapidly growing area in greater St. Louis. With a safety score of 73/100 and a population coverage of 72,143, St. Charles has a total crime rate of 1,023.0 per 100,000 residents.