Is Lafayette or Santa Monica Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lafayette is safer than Santa Monica (Safety Score 3/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 5,414 per 100,000 versus 5,573 for Santa Monica — 3% lower. Lafayette has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Monica has a 70% lower rate.
Lafayette — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Monica — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lafayette, LA
Santa Monica, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lafayette | Santa Monica | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,413.6 | 5,572.9 | -159.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,066.1 | 782.5 | +283.6 |
| Murder Rate | 14.8 | 4.5 | +10.3 |
| Rape Rate | 33.8 | 72.0 | -38.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 69.2 | 202.4 | -133.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 948.4 | 499.2 | +449.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,347.5 | 4,790.4 | -442.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 661.1 | 848.8 | -187.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,227.9 | 3,382.9 | -155.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 458.6 | 558.8 | -100.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafayette or Santa Monica safer?
Lafayette is safer with a total crime rate of 5,414 per 100K vs 5,573 for Santa Monica — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lafayette has a violent crime rate of 1,066.1 per 100K while Santa Monica has 782.5. Santa Monica has lower violent crime.
About Lafayette, LA
Lafayette, at the heart of Acadiana, is a vibrant hub of Cajun and Creole culture, known for its lively music and food scene. Situated along the Vermilion River, it's the most populous city in the Lafayette metropolitan area. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 121,471, Lafayette has a total crime rate of 5,413.6 per 100,000 residents.
About Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica, a coastal city west of downtown Los Angeles, is known for its iconic pier and vibrant tourism. Its beaches and Pacific Ocean proximity draw a diverse population, including many young professionals and families. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 88,948, Santa Monica has a total crime rate of 5,572.9 per 100,000 residents.