Is Los Angeles or Scotts Valley Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Scotts Valley is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 43/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,904 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 14% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Scotts Valley has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 322.7x 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
Scotts Valley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Scotts Valley, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Scotts Valley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 1,904.0 | +308.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 306.0 | +422.6 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 0.0 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 42.5 | -2.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 34.0 | +175.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 229.5 | +241.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,598.0 | -114.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 76.5 | +296.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,487.5 | -636.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 34.0 | +225.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Scotts Valley safer?
Scotts Valley is safer with a total crime rate of 1,904 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Scotts Valley has 306.0. Scotts Valley 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 Scotts Valley, CA
Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Scotts Valley was once home to the innovative Santa's Village theme park. This small city, with a population around 12,000, is characterized by its redwood forests and proximity to the coast. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 11,765, Scotts Valley has a total crime rate of 1,904.0 per 100,000 residents.