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 21/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 2,919 for Pasadena — 24% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Pasadena has a 65% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 26.1x 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, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Pasadena | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 2,918.8 | -706.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 566.8 | +161.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 4.1 | +2.8 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 69.6 | -29.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 73.7 | +136.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 418.7 | +52.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 2,351.9 | -868.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 252.1 | +120.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,677.7 | -826.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 422.2 | -162.5 |
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 2,919 for Pasadena — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Pasadena has 566.8. 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, TX
Pasadena, Texas, founded in 1893 after a devastating hurricane, sits southeast of Houston. This large, working-class suburb is a hub for chemical and petrochemical industries along the Houston Ship Channel. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 145,199, Pasadena has a total crime rate of 2,918.8 per 100,000 residents.