Is Los Angeles or Petaluma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Petaluma is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 58/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,445 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 35% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Petaluma has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 64.9x 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
Petaluma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Petaluma, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Petaluma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 1,444.6 | +767.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 271.8 | +456.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 0.0 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 44.5 | -4.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 44.5 | +165.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 182.9 | +288.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,172.8 | +311.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 95.7 | +277.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 976.2 | -124.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 100.9 | +158.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Petaluma safer?
Petaluma is safer with a total crime rate of 1,445 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Petaluma has 271.8. Petaluma 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 Petaluma, CA
Nestled in Sonoma County, Petaluma is a historic dairy town known for its well-preserved iron-front buildings and a population of around 60,000. It straddles the Petaluma River, flowing into San Pablo Bay. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 58,493, Petaluma has a total crime rate of 1,444.6 per 100,000 residents.