Is San Diego or West Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Chicago is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 82/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 801 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 62% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where West Chicago has a 95% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 55.6x 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
West Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
West Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | West Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 801.0 | +1,281.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 188.2 | +224.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 8.0 | -5.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 60.1 | -38.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 4.0 | +73.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 112.1 | +198.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 612.8 | +1,057.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 108.1 | +79.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 456.6 | +630.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 48.1 | +347.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or West Chicago safer?
West Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 801 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while West Chicago has 188.2. West Chicago 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 West Chicago, IL
West Chicago, a city in DuPage County, was once known as Turner Junction, a significant railway hub. Its diverse population includes a large Hispanic community. With a safety score of 82/100 and a population coverage of 24,968, West Chicago has a total crime rate of 801.0 per 100,000 residents.