Is Los Angeles or Santa Rosa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Rosa is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 51/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,663 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 25% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Rosa has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 21.7x 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 Rosa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Santa Rosa, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Santa Rosa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 1,662.6 | +549.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 342.6 | +386.0 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 1.1 | +5.8 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 67.4 | -27.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 66.8 | +143.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 207.3 | +264.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,320.0 | +163.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 231.2 | +141.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 919.2 | -67.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 169.6 | +90.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Santa Rosa safer?
Santa Rosa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,663 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Santa Rosa has 342.6. Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
Nestled in Sonoma County, Santa Rosa is a city of over 175,000 residents, famously home to Charles M. Schulz. It's a gateway to California's Wine Country, situated amidst rolling hills and vineyards. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 175,147, Santa Rosa has a total crime rate of 1,662.6 per 100,000 residents.