Is Los Angeles or Monterey Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Monterey is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 36/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 2,171 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 2% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Monterey has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 131.9x 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
Monterey — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Monterey, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Monterey | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 2,170.7 | +41.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 389.0 | +339.5 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 0.0 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 66.0 | -25.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 62.5 | +147.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 253.5 | +217.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,781.7 | -297.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 274.4 | +98.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,413.6 | -562.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 93.8 | +165.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Monterey safer?
Monterey is safer with a total crime rate of 2,171 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Monterey has 389.0. Monterey 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 Monterey, CA
Nestled on Monterey Bay, this coastal city is famed for Cannery Row's sardine industry past. Its population is approximately 30,000, with a significant portion of residents over 65. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 28,792, Monterey has a total crime rate of 2,170.7 per 100,000 residents.