Is San Diego or Zion Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Zion is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 58/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,446 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 31% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 80% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 57.7x 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
Zion — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Zion, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Zion | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,445.9 | +636.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 452.9 | -40.5 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 12.5 | -9.9 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 91.4 | -70.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 45.7 | +31.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 303.3 | +7.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 993.0 | +677.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 236.8 | -49.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 548.5 | +538.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 207.7 | +187.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Zion safer?
Zion is safer with a total crime rate of 1,446 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Zion has 452.9. San Diego 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 Zion, IL
Zion, Illinois, a city founded on religious principles, sits along Lake Michigan in northern Illinois. Its grid street plan, centered around Shiloh House, reflects its early 20th-century development. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 24,068, Zion has a total crime rate of 1,445.9 per 100,000 residents.