Is Joplin or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Joplin (Safety Score 35/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 4,681 for Joplin — 53% lower. Joplin has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Joplin has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 70.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Joplin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joplin, MO
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Joplin | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,681.2 | 2,212.5 | +2,468.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 560.4 | 728.5 | -168.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.0 | -7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 89.7 | 40.3 | +49.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 52.3 | 209.9 | -157.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 418.4 | 471.4 | -52.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,120.8 | 1,483.9 | +2,636.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 416.6 | 372.8 | +43.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,298.9 | 851.5 | +2,447.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 405.4 | 259.6 | +145.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joplin or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 4,681 for Joplin — a 53% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Joplin has a violent crime rate of 560.4 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Joplin has lower violent crime.
About Joplin, MO
Joplin, a city along historic Route 66, sits in Missouri's southwestern corner. Its economy has historically been tied to lead and zinc mining. The population is around 50,000 residents. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 53,533, Joplin has a total crime rate of 4,681.2 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.