Is Los Angeles or Somerville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Somerville is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 43/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,920 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 13% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Somerville has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 46.4x 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
Somerville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Somerville, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Somerville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 1,920.1 | +292.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 221.4 | +507.2 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 0.0 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 15.9 | +24.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 24.5 | +185.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 181.0 | +290.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,698.8 | -214.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 289.9 | +82.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,279.3 | -427.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 129.6 | +130.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Somerville safer?
Somerville is safer with a total crime rate of 1,920 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Somerville has 221.4. Somerville 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 Somerville, MA
Somerville, MA, a densely populated city immediately north of Boston, is known for its vibrant arts scene and diverse neighborhoods. Historically home to many working-class immigrants, it's now a hub for young professionals and students. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 81,766, Somerville has a total crime rate of 1,920.1 per 100,000 residents.