Is Los Angeles or Merriam Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Merriam (Safety Score 35/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 6,022 for Merriam — 63% lower. Los Angeles has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Merriam has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 351.7x 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
Merriam — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Merriam, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Merriam | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 6,021.9 | -3,809.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 435.4 | +293.1 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 9.3 | -2.3 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 74.1 | -33.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 18.5 | +191.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 333.5 | +137.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 5,586.4 | -4,102.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 315.0 | +57.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 4,261.6 | -3,410.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 1,009.8 | -750.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Merriam safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 6,022 for Merriam — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Merriam has 435.4. Merriam 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 Merriam, KS
Merriam, Kansas, a first-tier suburb of Kansas City, was once home to Merriam Park, a popular late 19th-century amusement park. Today, this city in Johnson County is known for its diverse housing stock and proximity to major highways. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 10,794, Merriam has a total crime rate of 6,021.9 per 100,000 residents.