Is San Diego or West Plains Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than West Plains (Safety Score 38/100 vs 36/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,167 for West Plains — 4% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where West Plains has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 109.1x 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 Plains — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
West Plains, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | West Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,167.4 | -85.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 361.2 | +51.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 86.4 | -65.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 23.6 | +53.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 251.3 | +59.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,806.2 | -136.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 180.6 | +6.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,476.4 | -389.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 149.2 | +246.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or West Plains safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,167 for West Plains — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while West Plains has 361.2. West Plains 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 Plains, MO
West Plains, Missouri, the "Gateway to the Ozarks," is a south-central Missouri town known for its historic Houck's Mill. This Howell County seat serves as a regional hub for commerce and healthcare. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 12,734, West Plains has a total crime rate of 2,167.4 per 100,000 residents.