Is Ferguson or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Ferguson (Safety Score 35/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 4,211 for Ferguson — 47% lower. Ferguson has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Los Angeles has a 79% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 212.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ferguson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ferguson, MO
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ferguson | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,210.8 | 2,212.5 | +1,998.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 712.1 | 728.5 | -16.5 |
| Murder Rate | 33.6 | 7.0 | +26.7 |
| Rape Rate | 28.0 | 40.3 | -12.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 123.4 | 209.9 | -86.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 527.1 | 471.4 | +55.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,498.7 | 1,483.9 | +2,014.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 555.1 | 372.8 | +182.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,040.9 | 851.5 | +1,189.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 902.7 | 259.6 | +643.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ferguson or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 4,211 for Ferguson — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ferguson has a violent crime rate of 712.1 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Ferguson has lower violent crime.
About Ferguson, MO
Ferguson, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, has a rich history rooted in its founding in 1894 as a railroad stop. Today, its diverse population of around 18,000 residents reflects a community with a median age in the early 30s. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 17,835, Ferguson has a total crime rate of 4,210.8 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.