Is Lake Charles or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Lake Charles (Safety Score 35/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,083 for Lake Charles — 28% lower. Lake Charles has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lake Charles has a 69% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 48.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Charles, LA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Charles | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,082.8 | 2,212.5 | +870.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 613.0 | 728.5 | -115.6 |
| Murder Rate | 16.7 | 7.0 | +9.7 |
| Rape Rate | 52.6 | 40.3 | +12.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.1 | 209.9 | -145.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 479.6 | 471.4 | +8.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,469.8 | 1,483.9 | +985.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 613.0 | 372.8 | +240.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,651.7 | 851.5 | +800.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 205.2 | 259.6 | -54.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Charles or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,083 for Lake Charles — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Charles has a violent crime rate of 613.0 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Lake Charles has lower violent crime.
About Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles, a port city in southwest Louisiana, is known for its Cajun and Creole culture. It sits on Lake Charles and the Calcasieu River, a hub for the petrochemical industry. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 77,982, Lake Charles has a total crime rate of 3,082.8 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.