Is Chico or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Chico (Safety Score 35/100 vs 26/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 2,599 for Chico — 15% lower. Chico has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chico has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 37.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chico — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chico, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chico | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,599.4 | 2,212.5 | +386.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 701.2 | 728.5 | -27.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 7.0 | -5.0 |
| Rape Rate | 137.9 | 40.3 | +97.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 82.3 | 209.9 | -127.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 477.0 | 471.4 | +5.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,898.2 | 1,483.9 | +414.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 208.3 | 372.8 | -164.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,486.7 | 851.5 | +635.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 203.3 | 259.6 | -56.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chico or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 2,599 for Chico — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chico has a violent crime rate of 701.2 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Chico has lower violent crime.
About Chico, CA
Chico, home to California State University, Chico, is a city in the Sacramento Valley. It boasts Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. The city's population is around 100,000. With a safety score of 26/100 and a population coverage of 100,831, Chico has a total crime rate of 2,599.4 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.