Is Las Cruces or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Las Cruces (Safety Score 35/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 5,594 for Las Cruces — 60% lower. Las Cruces has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Las Cruces has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 32.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Las Cruces — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Las Cruces, NM
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Las Cruces | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,594.2 | 2,212.5 | +3,381.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 720.8 | 728.5 | -7.7 |
| Murder Rate | 12.1 | 7.0 | +5.1 |
| Rape Rate | 57.8 | 40.3 | +17.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 57.8 | 209.9 | -152.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 592.4 | 471.4 | +121.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,873.4 | 1,483.9 | +3,389.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 737.2 | 372.8 | +364.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,442.9 | 851.5 | +2,591.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 693.2 | 259.6 | +433.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Las Cruces or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 5,594 for Las Cruces — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Las Cruces has a violent crime rate of 720.8 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Las Cruces has lower violent crime.
About Las Cruces, NM
Nestled in the Chihuahuan Desert, Las Cruces is New Mexico's second-largest city, known for its vibrant Hatch chile industry. Home to New Mexico State University, it boasts a diverse population and a rich history influenced by Spanish and Mexican cultures. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 115,977, Las Cruces has a total crime rate of 5,594.2 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.