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Los Angeles vs San Mateo Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Los Angeles crime rate · San Mateo crime rate

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Is Los Angeles or San Mateo Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, San Mateo is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 37/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 2,127 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 4% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in violent crime, where San Mateo has a 67% lower rate.

Note: Los Angeles is 38.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Los Angeles, CA?

Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend

Flat Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

San Mateo — 5-Year Trend

Flat Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles, CA
Safety Score 35/100
Coverage 3,796,352
Total Crime Rate 2,212.5
Category Wins 2/7

San Mateo, CA

San Mateo, CA
Safety Score 37/100
Coverage 99,929
Total Crime Rate 2,126.5
Category Wins 5/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Los Angeles San Mateo Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,212.5 2,126.5 +86.0
Violent Crime Rate 728.5 243.2 +485.4
Murder Rate 7.0 5.0 +2.0
Rape Rate 40.3 26.0 +14.3
Robbery Rate 209.9 74.1 +135.8
Aggravated Assault Rate 471.4 138.1 +333.3
Property Crime Rate 1,483.9 1,883.3 -399.4
Burglary Rate 372.8 98.1 +274.7
Larceny-Theft Rate 851.5 1,578.1 -726.6
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 259.6 207.2 +52.5

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Los Angeles, CA to San Mateo, CA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Los Angeles or San Mateo safer?

San Mateo is safer with a total crime rate of 2,127 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 4% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while San Mateo has 243.2. San Mateo 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 San Mateo, CA

San Mateo, a city on the San Francisco Peninsula, was once home to the historic Borel Estate. Its diverse population of around 105,000 resides amidst a mix of urban and suburban landscapes. With a safety score of 37/100 and a population coverage of 99,929, San Mateo has a total crime rate of 2,126.5 per 100,000 residents.

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