Is Los Angeles or Reading Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Reading is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 90/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 572 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 74% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Reading has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 146.7x 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
Reading — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Reading, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Reading | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 572.1 | +1,640.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 38.7 | +689.9 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 0.0 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 15.5 | +24.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 0.0 | +209.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 23.2 | +448.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 533.4 | +950.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 77.3 | +295.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 436.8 | +414.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 19.3 | +240.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Reading safer?
Reading is safer with a total crime rate of 572 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 74% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Reading has 38.7. Reading 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 Reading, MA
Reading, a Middlesex County town north of Boston, boasts a rich history, including the Parker Tavern, one of the oldest buildings in the US. With a population exceeding 25,000, it's a commuter-friendly community. With a safety score of 90/100 and a population coverage of 25,871, Reading has a total crime rate of 572.1 per 100,000 residents.