Is Las Vegas Metro or Santa Cruz Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Las Vegas Metro is safer than Santa Cruz (Safety Score 19/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,053 per 100,000 versus 3,128 for Santa Cruz — 2% lower. Las Vegas Metro has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Las Vegas Metro has a 37% lower rate.
Note: Las Vegas Metro is 28.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Las Vegas Metro, NV?
Las Vegas Metro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Cruz — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Las Vegas Metro, NV
Santa Cruz, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Las Vegas Metro | Santa Cruz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,052.7 | 3,128.2 | -75.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 430.0 | 612.9 | -182.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.2 | 4.9 | +1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 51.6 | 42.4 | +9.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.8 | 102.7 | -37.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 463.0 | -155.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,622.7 | 2,515.2 | +107.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 461.5 | 135.3 | +326.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,564.5 | 2,221.8 | -657.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 596.7 | 158.1 | +438.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Las Vegas Metro or Santa Cruz safer?
Las Vegas Metro is safer with a total crime rate of 3,053 per 100K vs 3,128 for Santa Cruz — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Las Vegas Metro has a violent crime rate of 430.0 per 100K while Santa Cruz has 612.9. 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 Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz, California, a coastal city known for its historic Beach Boardwalk, sits on Monterey Bay. It's home to a significant student population, including the University of California, Santa Cruz. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 61,346, Santa Cruz has a total crime rate of 3,128.2 per 100,000 residents.