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 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,146 for Des Moines — 30% lower. Des Moines has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Des Moines has a 59% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 119.8x 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, WA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,145.7 | 2,212.5 | +933.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 296.6 | 728.5 | -432.0 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 7.0 | -3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 28.4 | 40.3 | -11.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 104.1 | 209.9 | -105.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 160.9 | 471.4 | -310.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,849.1 | 1,483.9 | +1,365.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 214.6 | 372.8 | -158.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,927.8 | 851.5 | +1,076.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 706.8 | 259.6 | +447.1 |
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 3,146 for Des Moines — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 296.6 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Des Moines has lower violent crime.
About Des Moines, WA
Des Moines, Washington, a Puget Sound city, was once a popular resort town. Today, its waterfront views and proximity to Seattle attract a diverse population. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 31,694, Des Moines has a total crime rate of 3,145.7 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.