Is Kelso or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kelso is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 36/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 2% lower. Kelso has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Kelso has a 68% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 300.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Kelso — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kelso, WA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Kelso | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,163.2 | 2,212.5 | -49.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 229.8 | 728.5 | -498.8 |
| Murder Rate | 7.9 | 7.0 | +1.0 |
| Rape Rate | 47.5 | 40.3 | +7.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 87.2 | 209.9 | -122.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 87.2 | 471.4 | -384.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,933.4 | 1,483.9 | +449.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 285.3 | 372.8 | -87.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,481.8 | 851.5 | +630.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 166.4 | 259.6 | -93.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kelso or Los Angeles safer?
Kelso is safer with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Kelso has a violent crime rate of 229.8 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Kelso has lower violent crime.
About Kelso, WA
Kelso, Washington, a Cowlitz River city founded by Peter Crawford, is known as the "Smelt Capital of the World." Situated in Cowlitz County, it shares a border with Longview, and its population was 12,969 as of the 2020 census. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 12,620, Kelso has a total crime rate of 2,163.2 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.