Is San Diego or West Des Moines Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Des Moines is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 44/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,879 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 10% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where West Des Moines has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 18.9x 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 Des Moines — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
West Des Moines, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | West Des Moines | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,879.1 | +203.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 165.0 | +247.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 21.8 | -0.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 12.3 | +65.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 130.9 | +180.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,714.1 | -44.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 114.5 | +72.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,471.4 | -384.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 128.2 | +267.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or West Des Moines safer?
West Des Moines is safer with a total crime rate of 1,879 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while West Des Moines has 165.0. West Des Moines 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 Des Moines, IA
West Des Moines is a vibrant suburb of Iowa's capital, known for its strong financial sector and Jordan Creek Town Center. This affluent community, once a railway stop, lies just west of Des Moines, primarily in Polk County. With a safety score of 44/100 and a population coverage of 73,334, West Des Moines has a total crime rate of 1,879.1 per 100,000 residents.