Is Los Angeles or Ottumwa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Ottumwa (Safety Score 35/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,014 for Ottumwa — 27% lower. Los Angeles has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Ottumwa has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 150.7x 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
Ottumwa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Ottumwa, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Ottumwa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 3,013.7 | -801.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 397.1 | +331.5 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 7.9 | -1.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 83.4 | -43.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 27.8 | +182.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 277.9 | +193.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 2,616.6 | -1,132.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 428.8 | -56.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,945.6 | -1,094.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 242.2 | +17.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Ottumwa safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,014 for Ottumwa — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Ottumwa has 397.1. Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa, IA
Ottumwa, once a prominent coal mining center and home to the Beach Ottumwa water park, is a city in Wapello County, Iowa, situated along the Des Moines River. Its population was around 25,000 residents in 2020. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 25,185, Ottumwa has a total crime rate of 3,013.7 per 100,000 residents.