Is Billings or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Billings (Safety Score 35/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,832 for Billings — 42% lower. Billings has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Billings has a 59% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 31.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Billings — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Billings, MT
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Billings | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,832.0 | 2,212.5 | +1,619.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 748.5 | 728.5 | +20.0 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 7.0 | +0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 78.6 | 40.3 | +38.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 86.0 | 209.9 | -123.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 574.1 | 471.4 | +102.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,083.4 | 1,483.9 | +1,599.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 364.4 | 372.8 | -8.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,299.7 | 851.5 | +1,448.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 419.3 | 259.6 | +159.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Billings or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,832 for Billings — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Billings has a violent crime rate of 748.5 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Los Angeles has lower violent crime.
About Billings, MT
Billings, Montana's largest city, sits on the Yellowstone River, a hub for the region's agricultural and energy industries. Founded as a railroad town, its history is deeply tied to westward expansion. The city is a growing metropolitan area with a diverse economy. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 122,105, Billings has a total crime rate of 3,832.0 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.