Is Lawrence or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Lawrence (Safety Score 35/100 vs 26/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 2,627 for Lawrence — 16% lower. Lawrence has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lawrence has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 39.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lawrence — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lawrence, KS
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lawrence | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,627.4 | 2,212.5 | +414.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 470.8 | 728.5 | -257.7 |
| Murder Rate | 5.2 | 7.0 | -1.8 |
| Rape Rate | 74.5 | 40.3 | +34.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.1 | 209.9 | -176.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 348.7 | 471.4 | -122.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,156.6 | 1,483.9 | +672.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 229.7 | 372.8 | -143.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,762.3 | 851.5 | +910.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 164.5 | 259.6 | -95.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lawrence or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 2,627 for Lawrence — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lawrence has a violent crime rate of 470.8 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Lawrence has lower violent crime.
About Lawrence, KS
Lawrence, Kansas, home to the University of Kansas Jayhawks, sits on the Kansas River. This vibrant college town, with a population around 97,000, played a significant role in the Bleeding Kansas era. With a safety score of 26/100 and a population coverage of 96,636, Lawrence has a total crime rate of 2,627.4 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.