Is San Diego or Urbandale Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Urbandale is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 84/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 726 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 65% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Urbandale has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 29.5x 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
Urbandale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Urbandale, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Urbandale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 725.8 | +1,356.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 91.3 | +321.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 10.6 | +10.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 2.1 | +75.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 76.4 | +234.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 634.6 | +1,035.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 82.8 | +104.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 411.7 | +675.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 140.1 | +255.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Urbandale safer?
Urbandale is safer with a total crime rate of 726 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Urbandale has 91.3. Urbandale 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 Urbandale, IA
Urbandale, a Des Moines suburb, was once home to the Hawkeye Six, an early Iowa interurban line. Its population of over 45,000 residents enjoys a blend of residential areas and commercial developments. With a safety score of 84/100 and a population coverage of 47,119, Urbandale has a total crime rate of 725.8 per 100,000 residents.