Is Lancaster or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lancaster is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 43/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,914 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 13% lower. Lancaster has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lancaster has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 66.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lancaster — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lancaster, PA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lancaster | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,914.2 | 2,212.5 | -298.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 462.3 | 728.5 | -266.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.5 | 7.0 | -3.4 |
| Rape Rate | 31.6 | 40.3 | -8.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 28.1 | 209.9 | -181.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 397.3 | 471.4 | -74.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,451.9 | 1,483.9 | -32.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 107.2 | 372.8 | -265.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,181.2 | 851.5 | +329.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 163.5 | 259.6 | -96.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lancaster or Los Angeles safer?
Lancaster is safer with a total crime rate of 1,914 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lancaster has a violent crime rate of 462.3 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Lancaster has lower violent crime.
About Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA, known as the Red Rose City, is a historic city in south-central Pennsylvania. Its diverse population of nearly 60,000 residents includes a significant Amish presence, contributing to its unique cultural landscape. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 56,890, Lancaster has a total crime rate of 1,914.2 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.