Is Los Angeles or Riverside Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Riverside (Safety Score 35/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,422 for Riverside — 35% lower. Los Angeles has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Riverside has a 55% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 11.9x 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
Riverside — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Riverside, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Riverside | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 3,422.5 | -1,210.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 590.4 | +138.2 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 3.1 | +3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 54.0 | -13.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 120.3 | +89.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 412.3 | +59.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 2,832.1 | -1,348.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 396.1 | -23.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,984.4 | -1,132.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 451.7 | -192.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Riverside safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,422 for Riverside — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Riverside has 590.4. Riverside 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 Riverside, CA
Riverside, California, the birthplace of the California citrus industry, is a sprawling city in the Inland Empire. It lies along the Santa Ana River, home to over 300,000 residents, a diverse population including a large Hispanic demographic. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 320,148, Riverside has a total crime rate of 3,422.5 per 100,000 residents.