Is Amherst or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Amherst is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 93/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 466 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 79% lower. Amherst has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Amherst has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 82.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Amherst — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Amherst, MA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Amherst | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 466.5 | 2,212.5 | -1,746.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 159.8 | 728.5 | -568.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.0 | -7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 71.3 | 40.3 | +31.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 6.5 | 209.9 | -203.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 82.1 | 471.4 | -389.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 306.7 | 1,483.9 | -1,177.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 34.6 | 372.8 | -338.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 263.5 | 851.5 | -588.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 8.6 | 259.6 | -251.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amherst or Los Angeles safer?
Amherst is safer with a total crime rate of 466 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 79% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Amherst has a violent crime rate of 159.8 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Amherst has lower violent crime.
About Amherst, MA
Amherst, Massachusetts, home to Emily Dickinson's homestead, is a college town in the Pioneer Valley. It's a predominantly white community with a significant student population. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 46,304, Amherst has a total crime rate of 466.5 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.