Is Los Angeles or Seattle Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Seattle (Safety Score 35/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 5,783 for Seattle — 62% lower. Los Angeles has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Los Angeles has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 5.0x 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
Seattle — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Seattle, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 5,783.1 | -3,570.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 775.5 | -46.9 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 6.8 | +0.1 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 46.3 | -6.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 220.6 | -10.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 501.3 | -29.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 5,007.6 | -3,523.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 1,152.0 | -779.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 2,882.0 | -2,030.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 973.6 | -714.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Seattle safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 5,783 for Seattle — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Seattle has 775.5. 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 Seattle, WA
Seattle, a major port city in the Pacific Northwest, is known for its vibrant music scene, particularly grunge, which emerged here. Situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it’s home to a diverse population with a strong tech industry presence. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 760,058, Seattle has a total crime rate of 5,783.1 per 100,000 residents.