Is San Diego or Vermillion Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Vermillion is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 61/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,346 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 35% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Vermillion has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 114.7x 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
Vermillion — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Vermillion, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Vermillion | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,346.0 | +736.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 181.7 | +230.7 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 49.6 | -28.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 0.0 | +77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 132.1 | +178.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,164.3 | +505.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 49.6 | +137.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 982.7 | +104.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 132.1 | +263.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Vermillion safer?
Vermillion is safer with a total crime rate of 1,346 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Vermillion has 181.7. Vermillion 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 Vermillion, SD
Vermillion, home to the University of South Dakota, is a small city in southeastern South Dakota, near the Missouri River. Its population of around 11,000 is largely influenced by the university. The National Music Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, is a prominent cultural institution. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 12,110, Vermillion has a total crime rate of 1,346.0 per 100,000 residents.