Is Chapel Hill or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Chapel Hill (Safety Score 35/100 vs 24/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 2,687 for Chapel Hill — 18% lower. Chapel Hill has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Chapel Hill has a 78% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 59.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chapel Hill — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chapel Hill, NC
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chapel Hill | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,686.8 | 2,212.5 | +474.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 172.1 | 728.5 | -556.4 |
| Murder Rate | 1.6 | 7.0 | -5.4 |
| Rape Rate | 12.5 | 40.3 | -27.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 45.4 | 209.9 | -164.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 112.7 | 471.4 | -358.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,514.6 | 1,483.9 | +1,030.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 339.6 | 372.8 | -33.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,988.9 | 851.5 | +1,137.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 186.2 | 259.6 | -73.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chapel Hill or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 2,687 for Chapel Hill — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chapel Hill has a violent crime rate of 172.1 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Chapel Hill has lower violent crime.
About Chapel Hill, NC
Chapel Hill, home to the nation's first public university, is a vibrant town in Orange County, North Carolina. Its youthful population, largely influenced by UNC, enjoys the rolling Piedmont hills. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 63,906, Chapel Hill has a total crime rate of 2,686.8 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.