Is Gaithersburg or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gaithersburg is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 54/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,565 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 29% lower. Gaithersburg has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Gaithersburg has a 79% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 54.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gaithersburg — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gaithersburg, MD
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gaithersburg | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,564.9 | 2,212.5 | -647.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 252.9 | 728.5 | -475.6 |
| Murder Rate | 1.4 | 7.0 | -5.5 |
| Rape Rate | 28.7 | 40.3 | -11.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.7 | 209.9 | -145.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 158.1 | 471.4 | -313.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,312.0 | 1,483.9 | -172.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 150.9 | 372.8 | -221.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,023.1 | 851.5 | +171.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 138.0 | 259.6 | -121.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gaithersburg or Los Angeles safer?
Gaithersburg is safer with a total crime rate of 1,565 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gaithersburg has a violent crime rate of 252.9 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Gaithersburg has lower violent crime.
About Gaithersburg, MD
Gaithersburg, a diverse city in Montgomery County, boasts a rich agricultural past, evidenced by its annual county fair. Situated along the I-270 technology corridor, it's a bustling hub with a significant immigrant population. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 69,590, Gaithersburg has a total crime rate of 1,564.9 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.