Is Bellingham or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Bellingham (Safety Score 35/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 4,108 for Bellingham — 46% lower. Bellingham has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bellingham has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 39.7x 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, WA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellingham | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,107.9 | 2,212.5 | +1,895.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 351.0 | 728.5 | -377.5 |
| Murder Rate | 2.1 | 7.0 | -4.9 |
| Rape Rate | 20.9 | 40.3 | -19.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.3 | 209.9 | -132.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 249.7 | 471.4 | -221.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,756.9 | 1,483.9 | +2,273.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 491.0 | 372.8 | +118.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,113.3 | 851.5 | +2,261.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 152.5 | 259.6 | -107.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellingham or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 4,108 for Bellingham — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellingham has a violent crime rate of 351.0 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Bellingham has lower violent crime.
About Bellingham, WA
Bellingham, a city of 92,000 nestled between Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains, boasts a thriving arts scene and is home to Western Washington University. Its port city history is evident in its revitalized waterfront. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 95,717, Bellingham has a total crime rate of 4,107.9 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.