Is Durham or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Durham (Safety Score 35/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 4,420 for Durham — 50% lower. Durham has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Los Angeles has a 61% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 12.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Durham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Durham, NC
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Durham | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,420.3 | 2,212.5 | +2,207.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 620.6 | 728.5 | -108.0 |
| Murder Rate | 12.3 | 7.0 | +5.4 |
| Rape Rate | 57.3 | 40.3 | +17.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 160.9 | 209.9 | -49.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 388.7 | 471.4 | -82.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,799.7 | 1,483.9 | +2,315.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 450.4 | 372.8 | +77.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,725.4 | 851.5 | +1,873.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 623.9 | 259.6 | +364.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Durham or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 4,420 for Durham — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Durham has a violent crime rate of 620.6 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Durham has lower violent crime.
About Durham, NC
Durham, North Carolina, known as the "Bull City," grew around its tobacco industry. It's a diverse city in the Piedmont region, home to Duke University and a thriving tech scene. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 300,208, Durham has a total crime rate of 4,420.3 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.