Is Gretna or Lake Charles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Charles is safer than Gretna (Safety Score 18/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100,000 versus 4,229 for Gretna — 27% lower. Gretna has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Lake Charles has a 35% lower rate.
Note: Lake Charles is 4.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gretna — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gretna, LA
Lake Charles, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gretna | Lake Charles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,229.2 | 3,082.8 | +1,146.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 428.9 | 613.0 | -184.1 |
| Murder Rate | 11.9 | 16.7 | -4.8 |
| Rape Rate | 23.8 | 52.6 | -28.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 53.6 | 64.1 | -10.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 339.5 | 479.6 | -140.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,800.3 | 2,469.8 | +1,330.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 345.5 | 613.0 | -267.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,121.3 | 1,651.7 | +1,469.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 333.6 | 205.2 | +128.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gretna or Lake Charles safer?
Lake Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100K vs 4,229 for Gretna — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gretna has a violent crime rate of 428.9 per 100K while Lake Charles has 613.0. Gretna has lower violent crime.
About Gretna, LA
Gretna, Louisiana, the parish seat of Jefferson Parish, sits on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. Historically, it was a major railroad hub, including the Texas and Pacific Railway. Its population is diverse, reflecting various ethnic backgrounds. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 16,788, Gretna has a total crime rate of 4,229.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles, a port city in southwest Louisiana, is known for its Cajun and Creole culture. It sits on Lake Charles and the Calcasieu River, a hub for the petrochemical industry. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 77,982, Lake Charles has a total crime rate of 3,082.8 per 100,000 residents.