Is San Diego or Tuscaloosa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Tuscaloosa (Safety Score 38/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,285 for Tuscaloosa — 37% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 84% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 12.2x 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
Tuscaloosa — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Tuscaloosa, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Tuscaloosa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 3,284.6 | -1,202.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 553.4 | -141.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 15.8 | -13.3 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 17.6 | +3.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 59.7 | +17.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 460.3 | -149.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,731.2 | -1,061.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 318.9 | -131.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,159.3 | -1,072.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 253.0 | +142.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Tuscaloosa safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,285 for Tuscaloosa — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Tuscaloosa has 553.4. 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 Tuscaloosa, AL
Tuscaloosa, home to the University of Alabama, sits on the Black Warrior River in west-central Alabama. Its population is approximately 100,000, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 113,834, Tuscaloosa has a total crime rate of 3,284.6 per 100,000 residents.