Is Los Angeles or Modesto Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Modesto (Safety Score 35/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,070 for Modesto — 28% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Modesto has a 54% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 17.3x 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
Modesto — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Modesto, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Modesto | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 3,070.5 | -858.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 655.7 | +72.8 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 3.2 | +3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 56.2 | -15.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 113.3 | +96.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 483.1 | -11.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 2,414.7 | -930.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 267.1 | +105.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,818.8 | -967.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 328.8 | -69.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Modesto safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,070 for Modesto — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Modesto has 655.7. Modesto 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 Modesto, CA
Modesto, seat of Stanislaus County, is known for its agricultural roots and as the birthplace of filmmaker George Lucas. Situated in California's Central Valley, it's a diverse city with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 218,990, Modesto has a total crime rate of 3,070.5 per 100,000 residents.