Is Las Vegas Metro or Merced Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Las Vegas Metro is safer than Merced (Safety Score 19/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,053 per 100,000 versus 3,577 for Merced — 15% lower. Las Vegas Metro has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Las Vegas Metro has a 61% lower rate.
Note: Las Vegas Metro is 17.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Las Vegas Metro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Merced — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Las Vegas Metro, NV
Merced, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Las Vegas Metro | Merced | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,052.7 | 3,577.3 | -524.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 430.0 | 784.8 | -354.8 |
| Murder Rate | 6.2 | 7.3 | -1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 51.6 | 103.0 | -51.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.8 | 166.5 | -101.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 507.9 | -200.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,622.7 | 2,792.6 | -169.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 461.5 | 569.3 | -107.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,564.5 | 1,738.2 | -173.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 596.7 | 485.0 | +111.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Las Vegas Metro or Merced safer?
Las Vegas Metro is safer with a total crime rate of 3,053 per 100K vs 3,577 for Merced — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Las Vegas Metro has a violent crime rate of 430.0 per 100K while Merced has 784.8. Las Vegas Metro has lower violent crime.
About Las Vegas Metro, NV
Las Vegas Metro encompasses the vibrant Entertainment Capital of the World, a city that sprung from a railroad stop in the Mojave Desert. Its population of over 2.3 million is a diverse mix, drawn to its unique blend of resort tourism and burgeoning tech industries. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 1,716,565, Las Vegas Metro has a total crime rate of 3,052.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Merced, CA
Merced, a Central Valley city known for its proximity to Yosemite, serves as a significant agricultural hub. This community, home to a University of California campus, experiences hot, dry summers and mild winters. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 96,077, Merced has a total crime rate of 3,577.3 per 100,000 residents.