Is Dayton or Santa Monica Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Monica is safer than Dayton (Safety Score 3/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 5,573 per 100,000 versus 5,673 for Dayton — 2% lower. Dayton has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Monica has a 85% lower rate.
Dayton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Monica — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dayton, OH
Santa Monica, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dayton | Santa Monica | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,673.4 | 5,572.9 | +100.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,339.2 | 782.5 | +556.7 |
| Murder Rate | 29.7 | 4.5 | +25.2 |
| Rape Rate | 116.4 | 72.0 | +44.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 252.9 | 202.4 | +50.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 940.3 | 499.2 | +441.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,334.2 | 4,790.4 | -456.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 859.4 | 848.8 | +10.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,144.5 | 3,382.9 | -1,238.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,330.3 | 558.8 | +771.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dayton or Santa Monica safer?
Santa Monica is safer with a total crime rate of 5,573 per 100K vs 5,673 for Dayton — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dayton has a violent crime rate of 1,339.2 per 100K while Santa Monica has 782.5. Santa Monica has lower violent crime.
About Dayton, OH
Dayton, birthplace of aviation, is a mid-sized city in southwest Ohio. Nestled in the Miami Valley, its population is diverse, with a notable manufacturing legacy. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 134,857, Dayton has a total crime rate of 5,673.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica, a coastal city west of downtown Los Angeles, is known for its iconic pier and vibrant tourism. Its beaches and Pacific Ocean proximity draw a diverse population, including many young professionals and families. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 88,948, Santa Monica has a total crime rate of 5,572.9 per 100,000 residents.