Is Desert Hot Springs or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Desert Hot Springs is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 50/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,692 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 24% lower. Desert Hot Springs has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Desert Hot Springs has a 44% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 112.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Desert Hot Springs — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Desert Hot Springs, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Desert Hot Springs | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,691.9 | 2,212.5 | -520.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 491.9 | 728.5 | -236.7 |
| Murder Rate | 8.9 | 7.0 | +1.9 |
| Rape Rate | 29.6 | 40.3 | -10.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 118.5 | 209.9 | -91.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 334.8 | 471.4 | -136.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,200.0 | 1,483.9 | -283.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 272.6 | 372.8 | -100.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 551.1 | 851.5 | -300.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 376.3 | 259.6 | +116.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Desert Hot Springs or Los Angeles safer?
Desert Hot Springs is safer with a total crime rate of 1,692 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Desert Hot Springs has a violent crime rate of 491.9 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Desert Hot Springs has lower violent crime.
About Desert Hot Springs, CA
Desert Hot Springs, California, a city known for its natural hot springs, lies in the Coachella Valley. Founded by Cabot Yerxa, it is a small city with a population of around 32,000, primarily composed of working-class families. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 33,749, Desert Hot Springs has a total crime rate of 1,691.9 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.