Is San Diego or St. Joseph Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than St. Joseph (Safety Score 38/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,579 for St. Joseph — 55% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where San Diego has a 57% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 19.8x 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
St. Joseph — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
St. Joseph, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | St. Joseph | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 4,579.5 | -2,497.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 728.6 | -316.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 4.3 | -1.8 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 178.2 | -156.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 54.2 | +23.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 491.9 | -180.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 3,850.9 | -2,180.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 536.1 | -348.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,774.5 | -1,687.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 540.4 | -144.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or St. Joseph safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,579 for St. Joseph — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while St. Joseph has 728.6. 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 St. Joseph, MO
St. Joseph, Missouri, a city on the Missouri River, was the starting point of the Pony Express. This Buchanan County seat is located across from Kansas. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 70,139, St. Joseph has a total crime rate of 4,579.5 per 100,000 residents.