Is Los Angeles or South Lake Tahoe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than South Lake Tahoe (Safety Score 35/100 vs 34/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 2,266 for South Lake Tahoe — 2% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where South Lake Tahoe has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 180.7x 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
South Lake Tahoe — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | South Lake Tahoe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 2,266.1 | -53.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 804.6 | -76.0 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 0.0 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 61.9 | -21.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 42.9 | +167.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 680.8 | -209.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,461.6 | +22.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 190.4 | +182.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,161.6 | -310.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 109.5 | +150.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or South Lake Tahoe safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 2,266 for South Lake Tahoe — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while South Lake Tahoe has 804.6. 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 South Lake Tahoe, CA
South Lake Tahoe, California, is a resort city on the Sierra Nevada's eastern slope, renowned for its casinos and Heavenly Mountain Resort. Its pristine alpine lake attracts millions of visitors annually. With a safety score of 34/100 and a population coverage of 21,005, South Lake Tahoe has a total crime rate of 2,266.1 per 100,000 residents.