Is Kansas City or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Kansas City (Safety Score 35/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 4,655 for Kansas City — 52% lower. Kansas City has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Los Angeles has a 59% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 24.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Kansas City — 1-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kansas City, KS
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Kansas City | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,655.0 | 2,212.5 | +2,442.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,048.5 | 728.5 | +320.0 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 7.0 | +5.4 |
| Rape Rate | 67.8 | 40.3 | +27.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 93.9 | 209.9 | -116.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 873.1 | 471.4 | +401.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,606.5 | 1,483.9 | +2,122.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 442.7 | 372.8 | +70.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,271.7 | 851.5 | +1,420.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 892.0 | 259.6 | +632.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kansas City or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 4,655 for Kansas City — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Kansas City has a violent crime rate of 1,048.5 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Los Angeles has lower violent crime.
About Kansas City, KS
Kansas City, Kansas, part of the larger KC metro area, is the county seat of Wyandotte County. Its historic Strawberry Hill neighborhood reflects the city's rich Eastern European immigrant heritage. Situated at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers, it's a key transportation hub. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 153,363, Kansas City has a total crime rate of 4,655.0 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.