Is Baltimore or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Baltimore (Safety Score 35/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 5,763 for Baltimore — 62% lower. Baltimore has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Los Angeles has a 80% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 6.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Baltimore — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Baltimore, MD
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Baltimore | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,763.2 | 2,212.5 | +3,550.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,606.2 | 728.5 | +877.6 |
| Murder Rate | 34.8 | 7.0 | +27.8 |
| Rape Rate | 57.5 | 40.3 | +17.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 573.2 | 209.9 | +363.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 940.7 | 471.4 | +469.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,157.0 | 1,483.9 | +2,673.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 523.8 | 372.8 | +151.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,581.9 | 851.5 | +1,730.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,051.3 | 259.6 | +791.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baltimore or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 5,763 for Baltimore — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Baltimore has a violent crime rate of 1,606.2 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Los Angeles has lower violent crime.
About Baltimore, MD
Baltimore, Maryland, a historic port city on the Patapsco River, is home to the Inner Harbor and a diverse population. Known for its distinct neighborhoods and the legacy of Edgar Allan Poe, it's the most populous city in Maryland. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 566,632, Baltimore has a total crime rate of 5,763.2 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.