Is Los Angeles or Reading Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Reading is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 47/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,773 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 20% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Reading has a 54% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 38.8x 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, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Reading | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 1,772.8 | +439.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 338.2 | +390.3 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 7.2 | -0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 34.7 | +5.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 100.1 | +109.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 195.2 | +276.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,434.6 | +49.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 233.0 | +139.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 973.8 | -122.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 227.9 | +31.8 |
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 1,773 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Reading has 338.2. 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, PA
Reading, a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, is known for its historic Pagoda overlooking the city. Once a major railroad hub, it now has a diverse population with a significant Hispanic community. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 97,868, Reading has a total crime rate of 1,772.8 per 100,000 residents.