Is Lake Charles or Shreveport Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Charles is safer than Shreveport (Safety Score 18/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100,000 versus 5,220 for Shreveport — 41% lower. Lake Charles has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Lake Charles has a 50% lower rate.
Note: Shreveport is 2.2x 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
Shreveport — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Charles, LA
Shreveport, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Charles | Shreveport | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,082.8 | 5,220.1 | -2,137.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 613.0 | 1,229.6 | -616.7 |
| Murder Rate | 16.7 | 26.8 | -10.2 |
| Rape Rate | 52.6 | 83.4 | -30.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.1 | 80.0 | -15.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 479.6 | 1,038.3 | -558.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,469.8 | 3,990.5 | -1,520.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 613.0 | 781.3 | -168.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,651.7 | 2,628.9 | -977.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 205.2 | 580.3 | -375.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Charles or Shreveport safer?
Lake Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100K vs 5,220 for Shreveport — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Charles has a violent crime rate of 613.0 per 100K while Shreveport has 1,229.6. 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 Shreveport, LA
Shreveport, a major city in Northwest Louisiana, sits on the Red River. Historically a river port known for its ties to the oil industry, it's a diverse city with a significant African American population. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 175,092, Shreveport has a total crime rate of 5,220.1 per 100,000 residents.