Is Los Angeles or Santa Maria Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Santa Maria (Safety Score 35/100 vs 27/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 2,543 for Santa Maria — 13% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Maria has a 61% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 34.5x 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 Maria — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Santa Maria, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Santa Maria | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 2,543.3 | -330.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 660.6 | +68.0 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 2.7 | +4.2 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 68.2 | -27.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 173.6 | +36.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 416.2 | +55.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,882.7 | -398.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 312.6 | +60.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,149.4 | -297.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 420.7 | -161.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Santa Maria safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 2,543 for Santa Maria — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Santa Maria has 660.6. Santa Maria 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 Maria, CA
Santa Maria, California, a city in northern Santa Barbara County, is known for its barbecue and wine industry. It is the most populous city in the county, with a diverse, predominantly Hispanic population. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 110,056, Santa Maria has a total crime rate of 2,543.3 per 100,000 residents.