Is Carlsbad or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Carlsbad (Safety Score 35/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,316 for Carlsbad — 33% lower. Carlsbad has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Carlsbad has a 94% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 121.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Carlsbad — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Carlsbad, NM
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Carlsbad | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,315.9 | 2,212.5 | +1,103.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 524.9 | 728.5 | -203.6 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 7.0 | -3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 35.2 | 40.3 | -5.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 12.8 | 209.9 | -197.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 473.7 | 471.4 | +2.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,791.0 | 1,483.9 | +1,307.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 326.5 | 372.8 | -46.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,051.7 | 851.5 | +1,200.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 412.9 | 259.6 | +153.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carlsbad or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,316 for Carlsbad — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Carlsbad has a violent crime rate of 524.9 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Carlsbad has lower violent crime.
About Carlsbad, NM
Carlsbad, New Mexico, a city founded by pioneers near the Pecos River, is home to over 28,000 residents. Its economy has historically been tied to potash mining and oil and gas, influencing its demographic makeup. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 31,243, Carlsbad has a total crime rate of 3,315.9 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.