Is Lafayette or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lafayette is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 61/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,348 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 39% lower. Lafayette has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lafayette has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 152.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lafayette — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lafayette, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lafayette | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,347.6 | 2,212.5 | -864.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 80.2 | 728.5 | -648.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.0 | -7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 40.3 | -40.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 40.1 | 209.9 | -169.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 40.1 | 471.4 | -431.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,267.4 | 1,483.9 | -216.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 104.3 | 372.8 | -268.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,102.9 | 851.5 | +251.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 60.2 | 259.6 | -199.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafayette or Los Angeles safer?
Lafayette is safer with a total crime rate of 1,348 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lafayette has a violent crime rate of 80.2 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Lafayette has lower violent crime.
About Lafayette, CA
Nestled in the East Bay hills, Lafayette is a suburban community known for its top-rated schools and the annual "Reservoir Run." This affluent town, largely composed of families and commuters, offers a peaceful, tree-lined environment. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 24,934, Lafayette has a total crime rate of 1,347.6 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.