Is El Centro or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, El Centro is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 53/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 28% lower. El Centro has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where El Centro has a 65% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 87.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
El Centro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
El Centro, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | El Centro | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,595.9 | 2,212.5 | -616.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 328.4 | 728.5 | -400.2 |
| Murder Rate | 4.6 | 7.0 | -2.4 |
| Rape Rate | 23.0 | 40.3 | -17.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 73.5 | 209.9 | -136.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 227.3 | 471.4 | -244.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,267.5 | 1,483.9 | -216.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 475.3 | 372.8 | +102.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 622.3 | 851.5 | -229.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 169.9 | 259.6 | -89.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Centro or Los Angeles safer?
El Centro is safer with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
El Centro has a violent crime rate of 328.4 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. El Centro has lower violent crime.
About El Centro, CA
El Centro, founded in 1906, is the largest city in Imperial County, situated in the Sonoran Desert. Its economy is largely agricultural, benefiting from irrigation from the Colorado River. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 43,550, El Centro has a total crime rate of 1,595.9 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.