Is Los Angeles or Odessa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Odessa is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 36/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 2,163 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 robbery, where Odessa has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 32.7x 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
Odessa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Odessa, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Odessa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 2,163.1 | +49.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 320.6 | +408.0 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 3.5 | +3.5 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 53.4 | -13.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 38.8 | +171.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 220.6 | +250.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,842.5 | -358.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 219.8 | +153.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,368.5 | -517.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 254.2 | +5.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Odessa safer?
Odessa is safer with a total crime rate of 2,163 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 Odessa has 320.6. Odessa 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 Odessa, TX
Odessa, named after the Ukrainian city, is a West Texas hub in the Permian Basin. This arid region is a major center for oil and gas production, drawing a diverse, largely working-class population. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 116,039, Odessa has a total crime rate of 2,163.1 per 100,000 residents.