Is Los Angeles or North Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, North Chicago is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 83/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 742 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 66% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where North Chicago has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 125.2x 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
North Chicago — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
North Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | North Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 742.1 | +1,470.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 178.1 | +550.4 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 0.0 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 16.5 | +23.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 16.5 | +193.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 145.1 | +326.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 564.0 | +919.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 56.1 | +316.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 336.4 | +515.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 171.5 | +88.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or North Chicago safer?
North Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 742 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while North Chicago has 178.1. North Chicago 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 North Chicago, IL
North Chicago, Illinois, is a Lake County community that was once home to the American Steel Foundries. Situated along Lake Michigan, it has a diverse population. With a safety score of 83/100 and a population coverage of 30,318, North Chicago has a total crime rate of 742.1 per 100,000 residents.