Is Bellingham or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bellingham is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 64/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 43% lower. Bellingham has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bellingham has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 209.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bellingham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellingham, MA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellingham | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,259.7 | 2,212.5 | -952.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 215.5 | 728.5 | -513.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.0 | -7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 44.2 | 40.3 | +3.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 22.1 | 209.9 | -187.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 149.2 | 471.4 | -322.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,044.3 | 1,483.9 | -439.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 66.3 | 372.8 | -306.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 917.2 | 851.5 | +65.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 60.8 | 259.6 | -198.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellingham or Los Angeles safer?
Bellingham is safer with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellingham has a violent crime rate of 215.5 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Bellingham has lower violent crime.
About Bellingham, MA
Bellingham, Massachusetts, a suburban town in southeastern Worcester County, was incorporated in 1719. It's home to roughly 19,000 residents and features a mix of residential areas and commercial zones along Route 126. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 18,099, Bellingham has a total crime rate of 1,259.7 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.