Is San Diego or Van Buren Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Van Buren (Safety Score 38/100 vs 28/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,520 for Van Buren — 17% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Van Buren has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 56.8x 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
Van Buren — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Van Buren, AR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Van Buren | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,519.8 | -437.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 474.5 | -62.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 49.1 | -27.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 16.4 | +61.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 409.1 | -98.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,045.3 | -375.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 580.9 | -393.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,362.2 | -275.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 102.3 | +293.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Van Buren safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,520 for Van Buren — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Van Buren has 474.5. 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 Van Buren, AR
Van Buren, Arkansas, a city of around 25,000 in Crawford County, sits on the Arkansas River's north bank. It's known for its historic downtown, a well-preserved example of 19th-century architecture. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 24,446, Van Buren has a total crime rate of 2,519.8 per 100,000 residents.