Is Berkeley or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Berkeley (Safety Score 35/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 5,869 for Berkeley — 62% lower. Berkeley has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Los Angeles has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 32.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Berkeley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Berkeley, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Berkeley | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,868.8 | 2,212.5 | +3,656.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 639.7 | 728.5 | -88.8 |
| Murder Rate | 6.0 | 7.0 | -1.0 |
| Rape Rate | 46.0 | 40.3 | +5.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 186.5 | 209.9 | -23.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 400.3 | 471.4 | -71.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,229.1 | 1,483.9 | +3,745.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 661.0 | 372.8 | +288.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,655.9 | 851.5 | +2,804.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 912.3 | 259.6 | +652.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berkeley or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 5,869 for Berkeley — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Berkeley has a violent crime rate of 639.7 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Berkeley has lower violent crime.
About Berkeley, CA
Berkeley, California, home to a world-renowned university and the Free Speech Movement, sits on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay. This diverse city's population is highly educated, with a significant proportion holding graduate degrees. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 117,400, Berkeley has a total crime rate of 5,868.8 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.