Is Los Angeles or Pasadena Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Pasadena (Safety Score 35/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,178 for Pasadena — 30% lower. Los Angeles has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pasadena has a 89% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 28.8x 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
Pasadena — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Pasadena, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Pasadena | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 3,178.1 | -965.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 481.2 | +247.4 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 0.8 | +6.2 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 33.3 | +7.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 119.7 | +90.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 326.6 | +144.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 2,696.9 | -1,213.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 557.0 | -184.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,864.9 | -1,013.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 275.1 | -15.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Pasadena safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,178 for Pasadena — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Pasadena has 481.2. Pasadena 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 Pasadena, CA
Pasadena, nestled at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, is famous for the Rose Bowl Parade. This affluent city in Los Angeles County is home to a diverse population. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 131,966, Pasadena has a total crime rate of 3,178.1 per 100,000 residents.