Is Los Angeles or Ottawa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ottawa is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 64/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 43% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ottawa has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 298.9x 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
Ottawa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Ottawa, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Ottawa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 1,259.6 | +952.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 149.6 | +579.0 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 0.0 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 31.5 | +8.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 7.9 | +202.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 110.2 | +361.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,110.1 | +373.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 149.6 | +223.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 944.7 | -93.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 15.8 | +243.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Ottawa safer?
Ottawa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Ottawa has 149.6. Ottawa 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 Ottawa, KS
Ottawa, Kansas, a town of around 12,000 residents, is the county seat of Franklin County. It was named after the Ottawa tribe, whose reservation once encompassed the area. The town is home to Ottawa University. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 12,702, Ottawa has a total crime rate of 1,259.6 per 100,000 residents.