Is Key West or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Key West (Safety Score 35/100 vs 26/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 2,612 for Key West — 15% lower. Key West has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Key West has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 153.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Key West — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Key West, FL
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Key West | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,611.7 | 2,212.5 | +399.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 352.3 | 728.5 | -376.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.0 | -7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 52.6 | 40.3 | +12.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 32.4 | 209.9 | -177.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 267.2 | 471.4 | -204.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,259.4 | 1,483.9 | +775.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 214.6 | 372.8 | -158.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,988.1 | 851.5 | +1,136.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 56.7 | 259.6 | -203.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Key West or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 2,612 for Key West — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Key West has a violent crime rate of 352.3 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Key West has lower violent crime.
About Key West, FL
Key West, a remote island city, is the southernmost point in the continental U.S. and home to Ernest Hemingway's former residence. Its transient population often includes a mix of tourists and long-term residents. With a safety score of 26/100 and a population coverage of 24,697, Key West has a total crime rate of 2,611.7 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.