Is Bakersfield or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Bakersfield (Safety Score 35/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,026 for Bakersfield — 27% lower. Bakersfield has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bakersfield has a 40% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 9.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bakersfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bakersfield, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bakersfield | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,026.1 | 2,212.5 | +813.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 556.3 | 728.5 | -172.2 |
| Murder Rate | 6.7 | 7.0 | -0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 40.9 | 40.3 | +0.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 125.7 | 209.9 | -84.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 381.4 | 471.4 | -90.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,469.7 | 1,483.9 | +985.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 537.6 | 372.8 | +164.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,259.0 | 851.5 | +407.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 673.1 | 259.6 | +413.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bakersfield or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,026 for Bakersfield — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bakersfield has a violent crime rate of 556.3 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Bakersfield has lower violent crime.
About Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield, a city in California's Central Valley, is known for its country music heritage, the "Bakersfield Sound." It is a major agricultural and oil-producing region, with a diverse population of over 400,000 residents. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 416,120, Bakersfield has a total crime rate of 3,026.1 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.