Is Los Angeles or Melrose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Melrose is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 91/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 530 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 76% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Melrose has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 127.5x 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
Melrose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Melrose, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Melrose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 530.5 | +1,682.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 100.7 | +627.8 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 0.0 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 0.0 | +40.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 13.4 | +196.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 87.3 | +384.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 429.8 | +1,054.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 40.3 | +332.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 335.8 | +515.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 53.7 | +205.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Melrose safer?
Melrose is safer with a total crime rate of 530 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 76% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Melrose has 100.7. Melrose 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 Melrose, MA
Melrose is a small, affluent city north of Boston, known for its Victorian architecture. Bordered by the Middlesex Fells Reservation, it offers a suburban feel with easy access to urban amenities. With a safety score of 91/100 and a population coverage of 29,784, Melrose has a total crime rate of 530.5 per 100,000 residents.