Is Indianapolis or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Indianapolis (Safety Score 35/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 4,214 for Indianapolis — 48% lower. Indianapolis has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Los Angeles has a 65% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 4.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Indianapolis — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Indianapolis, IN
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Indianapolis | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,214.4 | 2,212.5 | +2,001.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 878.3 | 728.5 | +149.8 |
| Murder Rate | 20.0 | 7.0 | +13.0 |
| Rape Rate | 59.2 | 40.3 | +18.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 143.2 | 209.9 | -66.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 655.6 | 471.4 | +184.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,336.1 | 1,483.9 | +1,852.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 517.9 | 372.8 | +145.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,072.1 | 851.5 | +1,220.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 746.1 | 259.6 | +486.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Indianapolis or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 4,214 for Indianapolis — a 48% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Indianapolis has a violent crime rate of 878.3 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Los Angeles has lower violent crime.
About Indianapolis, IN
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.