Is Elgin or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elgin is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 61/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,369 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 38% lower. Elgin has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Elgin has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 33.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Elgin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elgin, IL
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Elgin | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,368.7 | 2,212.5 | -843.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 266.7 | 728.5 | -461.9 |
| Murder Rate | 4.4 | 7.0 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 64.7 | 40.3 | +24.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 31.0 | 209.9 | -178.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 166.6 | 471.4 | -304.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,102.1 | 1,483.9 | -381.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 211.7 | 372.8 | -161.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 804.4 | 851.5 | -47.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 85.9 | 259.6 | -173.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elgin or Los Angeles safer?
Elgin is safer with a total crime rate of 1,369 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Elgin has a violent crime rate of 266.7 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Elgin has lower violent crime.
About Elgin, IL
Elgin, Illinois, once known as "Watch City" due to the Elgin National Watch Company, is a Fox River community. Located in Kane and Cook counties, it's home to a diverse population of over 114,000 residents. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 112,879, Elgin has a total crime rate of 1,368.7 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.