Is Los Angeles or Needham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Needham is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 85/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 699 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 68% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Needham has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 115.8x 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
Needham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Needham, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Needham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 698.6 | +1,513.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 51.9 | +676.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 0.0 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 12.2 | +28.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 0.0 | +209.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 39.7 | +431.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 646.8 | +837.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 73.2 | +299.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 536.9 | +314.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 36.6 | +223.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Needham safer?
Needham is safer with a total crime rate of 699 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 68% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Needham has 51.9. Needham 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 Needham, MA
Needham, a suburban town in Norfolk County, is home to the first-ever American-made baseball. Located just west of Boston, it boasts a highly educated population and a charming town center. With a safety score of 85/100 and a population coverage of 32,779, Needham has a total crime rate of 698.6 per 100,000 residents.