Is Los Angeles or Madison Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Madison is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 37/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 2,121 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 4% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Madison has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 13.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Madison — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Madison, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Madison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 2,121.3 | +91.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 256.3 | +472.2 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 2.5 | +4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 26.6 | +13.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 33.7 | +176.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 193.2 | +278.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,865.0 | -381.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 158.5 | +214.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,595.5 | -744.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 111.0 | +148.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Madison safer?
Madison is safer with a total crime rate of 2,121 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Madison has 256.3. Madison has lower violent crime.
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.
About Madison, WI
Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, sits on an isthmus between two lakes, Mendota and Monona. Home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, it's known for its progressive politics and vibrant student culture. With a safety score of 37/100 and a population coverage of 282,045, Madison has a total crime rate of 2,121.3 per 100,000 residents.