Is Bethlehem or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bethlehem is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 54/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,576 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 29% lower. Bethlehem has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bethlehem has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 47.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bethlehem — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bethlehem, PA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bethlehem | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,575.9 | 2,212.5 | -636.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 207.1 | 728.5 | -521.5 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 7.0 | -4.4 |
| Rape Rate | 40.4 | 40.3 | +0.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 27.8 | 209.9 | -182.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 135.1 | 471.4 | -336.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,368.8 | 1,483.9 | -115.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 84.6 | 372.8 | -288.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,150.3 | 851.5 | +298.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 133.9 | 259.6 | -125.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bethlehem or Los Angeles safer?
Bethlehem is safer with a total crime rate of 1,576 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bethlehem has a violent crime rate of 207.1 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Bethlehem has lower violent crime.
About Bethlehem, PA
Bethlehem, PA, known as "The Christmas City" for its annual celebrations, is a city in the Lehigh Valley. Once a major industrial hub for Bethlehem Steel, it now has a diverse economy and a population of over 75,000. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 79,194, Bethlehem has a total crime rate of 1,575.9 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.