Is Los Angeles or Santa Ana Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Ana is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 35/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 2,196 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 1% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Santa Ana has a 49% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 12.2x 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
Santa Ana — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Santa Ana, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Santa Ana | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 2,195.6 | +16.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 493.4 | +235.2 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 4.8 | +2.1 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 52.5 | -12.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 106.0 | +103.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 329.7 | +141.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,702.2 | -218.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 225.6 | +147.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,160.5 | -309.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 316.1 | -56.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Santa Ana safer?
Santa Ana is safer with a total crime rate of 2,196 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Santa Ana has 493.4. Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana, CA
Santa Ana, the seat of Orange County, sits along the Santa Ana River. Its historic downtown, including the Yost Theater, reflects its rich past. Over 75% of its diverse population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 310,304, Santa Ana has a total crime rate of 2,195.6 per 100,000 residents.