Is Los Angeles or Portsmouth Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Portsmouth (Safety Score 35/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 4,613 for Portsmouth — 52% lower. Los Angeles has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Los Angeles has a 81% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 39.1x 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
Portsmouth — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Portsmouth, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Portsmouth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 4,613.2 | -2,400.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 752.4 | -23.9 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 37.1 | -30.1 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 36.0 | +4.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 167.8 | +42.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 511.6 | -40.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 3,860.8 | -2,376.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 424.1 | -51.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 2,920.1 | -2,068.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 516.7 | -257.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Portsmouth safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 4,613 for Portsmouth — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Portsmouth has 752.4. Los Angeles 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 Portsmouth, VA
Portsmouth, Virginia, established in 1752, sits across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk. Home to the historic Gosport Shipyard, it's a diverse city with a significant African American population. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 97,156, Portsmouth has a total crime rate of 4,613.2 per 100,000 residents.