Is Las Vegas Metro or Santa Monica Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Las Vegas Metro is safer than Santa Monica (Safety Score 19/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,053 per 100,000 versus 5,573 for Santa Monica — 45% lower. Las Vegas Metro has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Las Vegas Metro has a 68% lower rate.
Note: Las Vegas Metro is 19.3x 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
Santa Monica — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Las Vegas Metro, NV
Santa Monica, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Las Vegas Metro | Santa Monica | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,052.7 | 5,572.9 | -2,520.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 430.0 | 782.5 | -352.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.2 | 4.5 | +1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 51.6 | 72.0 | -20.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.8 | 202.4 | -137.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 499.2 | -192.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,622.7 | 4,790.4 | -2,167.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 461.5 | 848.8 | -387.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,564.5 | 3,382.9 | -1,818.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 596.7 | 558.8 | +38.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Las Vegas Metro or Santa Monica safer?
Las Vegas Metro is safer with a total crime rate of 3,053 per 100K vs 5,573 for Santa Monica — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Las Vegas Metro has a violent crime rate of 430.0 per 100K while Santa Monica has 782.5. 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 Monica, CA
Santa Monica, a coastal city west of downtown Los Angeles, is known for its iconic pier and vibrant tourism. Its beaches and Pacific Ocean proximity draw a diverse population, including many young professionals and families. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 88,948, Santa Monica has a total crime rate of 5,572.9 per 100,000 residents.