Is Los Angeles or Rapid City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Rapid City (Safety Score 35/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 4,516 for Rapid City — 51% lower. Los Angeles has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Los Angeles has a 61% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 46.9x 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
Rapid City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Rapid City, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Rapid City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 4,516.0 | -2,303.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 723.8 | +4.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 6.2 | +0.8 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 135.9 | -95.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 103.8 | +106.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 473.1 | -1.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 3,792.1 | -2,308.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 427.4 | -54.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 2,986.8 | -2,135.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 378.0 | -118.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Rapid City safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 4,516 for Rapid City — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Rapid City has 723.8. Rapid City 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 Rapid City, SD
Rapid City, nestled at the foot of the Black Hills, is a gateway to Mount Rushmore. This city in western South Dakota has a population of over 78,000, making it the second largest in the state. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 80,957, Rapid City has a total crime rate of 4,516.0 per 100,000 residents.