Los Angeles vs Phoenix Crime Comparison
Is Los Angeles or Phoenix Safer?
Los Angeles is the safer city, with a total crime rate 29% lower than Phoenix based on 2024 FBI data. Los Angeles has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Los Angeles has a 36% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 2.3x larger by population, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Los Angeles, CA
Safety Score
59/100
Population
3,796,352
Total Crime Rate
2,212.5
Category Wins
5/7
Phoenix, AZ
Safety Score
43/100
Population
1,662,809
Total Crime Rate
3,125.4
Category Wins
2/7
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 3,125.4 | -912.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 800.0 | -71.5 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 8.4 | -1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 64.3 | -24.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 181.6 | +28.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 545.3 | -74.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 2,325.3 | -841.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 317.2 | +55.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,582.1 | -730.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 426.0 | -166.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Phoenix safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Los Angeles has lower violent crime.