Moving from Boston, MA to Los Angeles, CA?
An out-of-state move adds a new driver's license, plates, voter registration and state-specific deadlines. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Boston or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Boston (Safety Score 35/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 17% lower. Boston has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Boston has a 48% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 5.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Boston, MA?
Boston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 2,212.5 | +437.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 728.5 | -100.5 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 7.0 | -3.3 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 40.3 | -14.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 209.9 | -83.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 471.4 | +0.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 1,483.9 | +537.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 372.8 | -195.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 851.5 | +835.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 259.6 | -103.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Boston, MA to Los Angeles, CA?
An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Boston has lower violent crime.
About Boston, MA
Boston, a city steeped in American Revolution history, sits on Massachusetts Bay. This densely populated urban center is home to a diverse population and numerous universities. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 659,049, Boston has a total crime rate of 2,649.7 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.