Is Los Angeles or Morgantown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Morgantown is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 36/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 2,173 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 2% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Morgantown has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 124.4x 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
Morgantown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Morgantown, WV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Morgantown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 2,173.1 | +39.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 213.0 | +515.5 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 13.1 | -6.2 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 59.0 | -18.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 19.7 | +190.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 118.0 | +353.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,960.0 | -476.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 114.7 | +258.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,809.2 | -957.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 36.1 | +223.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Morgantown safer?
Morgantown is safer with a total crime rate of 2,173 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 Morgantown has 213.0. Morgantown 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 Morgantown, WV
Morgantown, home to West Virginia University, is a city nestled in the Appalachian Mountains along the Monongahela River. Its population of roughly 30,000 is significantly boosted by its large student body, shaping a vibrant yet often transient community. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 30,510, Morgantown has a total crime rate of 2,173.1 per 100,000 residents.