Is Lakewood or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Lakewood (Safety Score 35/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 4,270 for Lakewood — 48% lower. Lakewood has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Los Angeles has a 59% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 61.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lakewood — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lakewood, WA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lakewood | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,270.0 | 2,212.5 | +2,057.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 648.1 | 728.5 | -80.4 |
| Murder Rate | 6.5 | 7.0 | -0.5 |
| Rape Rate | 61.4 | 40.3 | +21.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.9 | 209.9 | -79.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 449.3 | 471.4 | -22.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,621.9 | 1,483.9 | +2,138.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 510.7 | 372.8 | +137.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,484.1 | 851.5 | +1,632.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 627.1 | 259.6 | +367.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lakewood or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 4,270 for Lakewood — a 48% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lakewood has a violent crime rate of 648.1 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Lakewood has lower violent crime.
About Lakewood, WA
Lakewood, WA, a city incorporated in 1996, sits between Tacoma and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Its diverse population, with a significant military presence, resides among lakes and historic estates like Thornewood Castle. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 61,873, Lakewood has a total crime rate of 4,270.0 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.