Is San Diego or Westerville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Westerville is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 42/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,947 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 6% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Westerville has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 37.0x 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
Westerville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Westerville, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Westerville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,947.3 | +135.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 221.1 | +191.3 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 40.0 | -18.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 21.3 | +56.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 159.8 | +151.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,726.2 | -56.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 95.9 | +91.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,531.7 | -444.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 98.6 | +297.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Westerville safer?
Westerville is safer with a total crime rate of 1,947 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Westerville has 221.1. Westerville 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 Westerville, OH
Westerville, a Columbus suburb, is home to Otterbein University, a historic institution. This city in Delaware and Franklin counties has grown significantly, drawing a diverse population. With a safety score of 42/100 and a population coverage of 37,540, Westerville has a total crime rate of 1,947.3 per 100,000 residents.