Is Los Angeles or Sonoma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sonoma is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 62/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,332 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 40% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sonoma has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 358.7x 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
Sonoma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Sonoma, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Sonoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 1,332.3 | +880.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 179.5 | +549.0 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 0.0 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 9.5 | +30.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 37.8 | +172.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 132.3 | +339.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,152.8 | +331.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 207.9 | +164.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 869.3 | -17.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 75.6 | +184.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Sonoma safer?
Sonoma is safer with a total crime rate of 1,332 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Sonoma has 179.5. Sonoma 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 Sonoma, CA
Sonoma, California, a historic town in the heart of wine country, is known for its Spanish colonial mission and the Sonoma Plaza. Located north of San Francisco, its population is approximately 11,000 residents. With a safety score of 62/100 and a population coverage of 10,583, Sonoma has a total crime rate of 1,332.3 per 100,000 residents.