Is Los Angeles or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 38/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 2,074 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 6% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Salem has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 118.8x 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
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Salem, NH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 2,074.3 | +138.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 106.4 | +622.2 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 3.1 | +3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 25.0 | +15.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 46.9 | +162.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 31.3 | +440.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,968.0 | -484.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 62.6 | +310.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,820.9 | -969.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 84.5 | +175.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Salem safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 2,074 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Salem has 106.4. Salem 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 Salem, NH
Salem, NH, once home to America's first continuously operated amusement park, is a southern New Hampshire town bordering Massachusetts. Its population is primarily white and has grown steadily over the past few decades. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 31,962, Salem has a total crime rate of 2,074.3 per 100,000 residents.