Is Buffalo or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Buffalo (Safety Score 35/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 4,517 for Buffalo — 51% lower. Buffalo has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Los Angeles has a 61% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 13.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Buffalo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Buffalo, NY
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Buffalo | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,516.5 | 2,212.5 | +2,304.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 706.9 | 728.5 | -21.6 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 7.0 | +5.5 |
| Rape Rate | 43.5 | 40.3 | +3.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 157.8 | 209.9 | -52.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 492.5 | 471.4 | +21.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,809.6 | 1,483.9 | +2,325.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 438.0 | 372.8 | +65.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,573.4 | 851.5 | +1,721.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 798.2 | 259.6 | +538.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 4,517 for Buffalo — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Buffalo has a violent crime rate of 706.9 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Buffalo has lower violent crime.
About Buffalo, NY
Buffalo, a city on Lake Erie, boasts a rich industrial past and stunning architecture by masters like Frank Lloyd Wright. As the second-largest city in New York, it experiences distinct seasons, including significant snowfall. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 273,728, Buffalo has a total crime rate of 4,516.5 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.