Is Los Angeles or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than New York City (Safety Score 35/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 27% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New York City has a 44% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 2.2x 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
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 3,039.7 | -827.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 671.4 | +57.1 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 3.9 | +3.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 23.4 | +16.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 187.5 | +22.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 456.2 | +15.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 2,368.3 | -884.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 154.7 | +218.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 2,015.0 | -1,163.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 198.5 | +61.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or New York City safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. New York City 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 New York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 per 100,000 residents.