Is Lake Forest or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Forest is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 87/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 646 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 71% lower. Lake Forest has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake Forest has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 196.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake Forest — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Forest, IL
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Forest | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 645.8 | 2,212.5 | -1,566.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 20.7 | 728.5 | -707.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.0 | -7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 5.2 | 40.3 | -35.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 209.9 | -209.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 15.5 | 471.4 | -455.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 625.1 | 1,483.9 | -858.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 206.6 | 372.8 | -166.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 361.6 | 851.5 | -489.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 56.8 | 259.6 | -202.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Forest or Los Angeles safer?
Lake Forest is safer with a total crime rate of 646 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Forest has a violent crime rate of 20.7 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Lake Forest has lower violent crime.
About Lake Forest, IL
Nestled on Chicago's North Shore, Lake Forest is an affluent suburban community home to esteemed institutions like Lake Forest College. Its tree-lined streets and historic mansions, many dating back to the late 19th century, reflect a long-standing commitment to preserving its architectural heritage. With a safety score of 87/100 and a population coverage of 19,357, Lake Forest has a total crime rate of 645.8 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.