Is Fairbanks or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Fairbanks (Safety Score 35/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 4,167 for Fairbanks — 47% lower. Fairbanks has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Los Angeles has a 57% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 119.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fairbanks — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fairbanks, AK
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fairbanks | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,167.2 | 2,212.5 | +1,954.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 704.0 | 728.5 | -24.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.3 | 7.0 | -0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 120.0 | 40.3 | +79.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 132.6 | 209.9 | -77.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 438.8 | 471.4 | -32.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,463.2 | 1,483.9 | +1,979.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 296.8 | 372.8 | -76.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,847.6 | 851.5 | +1,996.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 318.9 | 259.6 | +59.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fairbanks or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 4,167 for Fairbanks — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fairbanks has a violent crime rate of 704.0 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Fairbanks has lower violent crime.
About Fairbanks, AK
Fairbanks, Alaska, a city founded on gold mining, sits just 190 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Its population of roughly 32,000 residents experiences extreme seasonal light variations, from near-total darkness to the midnight sun. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 31,676, Fairbanks has a total crime rate of 4,167.2 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.