Is Dekalb or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Dekalb (Safety Score 35/100 vs 21/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 2,907 for Dekalb — 24% lower. Dekalb has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Dekalb has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 94.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dekalb — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dekalb, IL
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dekalb | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,907.4 | 2,212.5 | +694.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 393.0 | 728.5 | -335.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.0 | -7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 151.7 | 40.3 | +111.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 34.8 | 209.9 | -175.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 206.4 | 471.4 | -264.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,514.4 | 1,483.9 | +1,030.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 338.2 | 372.8 | -34.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,124.0 | 851.5 | +1,272.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 52.2 | 259.6 | -207.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dekalb or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 2,907 for Dekalb — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dekalb has a violent crime rate of 393.0 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Dekalb has lower violent crime.
About Dekalb, IL
DeKalb, Illinois, home to Northern Illinois University, is a city in DeKalb County, about 65 miles west of Chicago. It's known as the "Barb City" due to Joseph Glidden's invention of barbed wire here. The population is diverse, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 40,208, Dekalb has a total crime rate of 2,907.4 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.