Is San Diego or Wilmette Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wilmette is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 66/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,210 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 42% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wilmette has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 52.1x 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
Wilmette — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Wilmette, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Wilmette | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,210.4 | +872.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 22.5 | +389.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 7.5 | +13.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 7.5 | +69.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 7.5 | +303.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,187.9 | +482.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 344.8 | -157.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 813.2 | +273.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 30.0 | +365.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Wilmette safer?
Wilmette is safer with a total crime rate of 1,210 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Wilmette has 22.5. Wilmette 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 Wilmette, IL
Wilmette, Illinois, a North Shore Chicago suburb, is home to the stunning Baháʼí House of Worship. This affluent village boasts a highly educated population and scenic Lake Michigan shoreline. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 26,685, Wilmette has a total crime rate of 1,210.4 per 100,000 residents.