Is Columbus or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Columbus (Safety Score 35/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,088 for Columbus — 28% lower. Columbus has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Columbus has a 58% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 4.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, OH
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbus | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,088.3 | 2,212.5 | +875.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 435.0 | 728.5 | -293.6 |
| Murder Rate | 12.2 | 7.0 | +5.3 |
| Rape Rate | 124.2 | 40.3 | +83.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 87.7 | 209.9 | -122.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 210.7 | 471.4 | -260.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,653.4 | 1,483.9 | +1,169.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 404.5 | 372.8 | +31.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,706.1 | 851.5 | +854.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 542.8 | 259.6 | +283.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,088 for Columbus — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbus has a violent crime rate of 435.0 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Columbus has lower violent crime.
About Columbus, OH
Columbus, Ohio, the state capital, sits at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers. Home to The Ohio State University, it's a diverse city with a growing population of over 900,000 residents. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 915,447, Columbus has a total crime rate of 3,088.3 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.