Is Los Angeles or Santa Clara Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Santa Clara (Safety Score 35/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 2,684 for Santa Clara — 18% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Clara has a 78% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 28.8x 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
Santa Clara — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Santa Clara, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Santa Clara | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 2,683.8 | -471.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 182.0 | +546.6 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 1.5 | +5.4 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 19.7 | +20.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 57.6 | +152.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 103.1 | +368.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 2,501.9 | -1,018.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 337.4 | +35.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,771.0 | -919.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 393.5 | -133.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Santa Clara safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 2,684 for Santa Clara — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Santa Clara has 182.0. Santa Clara 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 Clara, CA
Santa Clara, home to Levi's Stadium, is a Silicon Valley city in Santa Clara County. It's a key tech hub with a diverse, educated population and a significant presence of professionals in the STEM fields. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 131,901, Santa Clara has a total crime rate of 2,683.8 per 100,000 residents.