Is Ames or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ames is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 51/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,654 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 25% lower. Ames has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ames has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 58.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ames — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ames, IA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ames | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,653.8 | 2,212.5 | -558.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 148.3 | 728.5 | -580.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.0 | -7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 70.3 | 40.3 | +30.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.6 | 209.9 | -202.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 70.3 | 471.4 | -401.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,505.5 | 1,483.9 | +21.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 172.7 | 372.8 | -200.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,244.2 | 851.5 | +392.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 88.7 | 259.6 | -171.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ames or Los Angeles safer?
Ames is safer with a total crime rate of 1,654 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ames has a violent crime rate of 148.3 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Ames has lower violent crime.
About Ames, IA
Ames, Iowa, home to Iowa State University, is a city in Story County. This community in central Iowa has a significant student population, contributing to its vibrant academic atmosphere. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 65,426, Ames has a total crime rate of 1,653.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, a sprawling Southern California metropolis, is a major Pacific Rim gateway, home to Hollywood's film industry. Its diverse population of nearly 4 million people resides across a vast urban landscape bordered by mountains and the Pacific Ocean. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 3,796,352, Los Angeles has a total crime rate of 2,212.5 per 100,000 residents.