Is Des Plaines or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Des Plaines is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 64/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 43% lower. Des Plaines has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Des Plaines has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 66.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Des Plaines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Plaines, IL
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Plaines | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,260.1 | 2,212.5 | -952.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 120.6 | 728.5 | -608.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.0 | -7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 19.2 | 40.3 | -21.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 24.5 | 209.9 | -185.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 76.9 | 471.4 | -394.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,139.5 | 1,483.9 | -344.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 417.7 | 372.8 | +44.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 601.2 | 851.5 | -250.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 120.6 | 259.6 | -139.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Plaines or Los Angeles safer?
Des Plaines is safer with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Plaines has a violent crime rate of 120.6 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Des Plaines has lower violent crime.
About Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines, home to the first McDonald's restaurant, sits along the Des Plaines River in Cook County. This suburban city, with a population around 58,000, is a diverse community northwest of Chicago. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 57,218, Des Plaines has a total crime rate of 1,260.1 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.