Is Los Angeles or Santa Fe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Santa Fe (Safety Score 35/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 5,999 for Santa Fe — 63% lower. Los Angeles has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Los Angeles has a 71% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 42.3x 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 Fe — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Santa Fe, NM
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Santa Fe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 5,998.8 | -3,786.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 842.2 | -113.6 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 4.5 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 64.7 | -24.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 89.2 | +120.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 683.8 | -212.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 5,156.6 | -3,672.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 973.8 | -601.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 3,380.9 | -2,529.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 802.0 | -542.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Santa Fe safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 5,999 for Santa Fe — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Santa Fe has 842.2. Los Angeles 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 Fe, NM
Nestled in the Sangre de Cristo foothills, Santa Fe, New Mexico, is the nation's oldest capital city. Its adobe architecture and vibrant arts scene reflect a unique blend of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures, drawing a diverse, often affluent, population. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 89,652, Santa Fe has a total crime rate of 5,998.8 per 100,000 residents.