Is Des Moines or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Des Moines (Safety Score 35/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,831 for Des Moines — 42% lower. Des Moines has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Des Moines has a 64% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 18.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Des Moines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines, IA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,831.4 | 2,212.5 | +1,618.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 704.9 | 728.5 | -23.6 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 7.0 | -2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 51.1 | 40.3 | +10.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.0 | 209.9 | -134.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 572.5 | 471.4 | +101.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,126.5 | 1,483.9 | +1,642.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 462.6 | 372.8 | +89.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,142.0 | 851.5 | +1,290.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 521.9 | 259.6 | +262.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,831 for Des Moines — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 704.9 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Des Moines has lower violent crime.
About Des Moines, IA
Des Moines, Iowa's capital, sits on the Des Moines River. It's known for its thriving insurance industry and has a growing population, with a median age in the mid-30s. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 209,245, Des Moines has a total crime rate of 3,831.4 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.