Is Los Angeles or Santa Barbara Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Santa Barbara (Safety Score 35/100 vs 29/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 2,459 for Santa Barbara — 10% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Barbara has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 44.3x 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 Barbara — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Santa Barbara | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 2,459.3 | -246.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 649.5 | +79.0 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 0.0 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 82.8 | -42.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 74.6 | +135.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 490.9 | -19.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,809.7 | -325.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 170.3 | +202.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,441.3 | -589.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 198.2 | +61.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Santa Barbara safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 2,459 for Santa Barbara — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Santa Barbara has 649.5. Santa Barbara 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 Barbara, CA
Nestled between the Pacific and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara boasts Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and a Mediterranean climate. This affluent coastal city, home to UCSB, attracts tourists and residents alike with its scenic beauty. With a safety score of 29/100 and a population coverage of 85,758, Santa Barbara has a total crime rate of 2,459.3 per 100,000 residents.