Is Gainesville or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gainesville is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 47/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,788 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 19% lower. Gainesville has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Gainesville has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 206.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gainesville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gainesville, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gainesville | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,787.7 | 2,212.5 | -424.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 163.5 | 728.5 | -565.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.0 | -7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 32.7 | 40.3 | -7.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 10.9 | 209.9 | -199.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 119.9 | 471.4 | -351.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,624.2 | 1,483.9 | +140.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 212.6 | 372.8 | -160.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,237.2 | 851.5 | +385.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 174.4 | 259.6 | -85.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gainesville or Los Angeles safer?
Gainesville is safer with a total crime rate of 1,788 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gainesville has a violent crime rate of 163.5 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Gainesville has lower violent crime.
About Gainesville, TX
Gainesville, Texas, a North Texas city near the Red River, is known for its historic downtown and as the home of the Frank Buck Zoo, honoring the famous wild animal collector. The city is a county seat and a significant agricultural hub. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 18,348, Gainesville has a total crime rate of 1,787.7 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.