Is Los Angeles or San Mateo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 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.
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Mateo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
San Mateo, CA
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 2024.
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.