Is Los Angeles or Sparks Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Sparks (Safety Score 35/100 vs 20/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 2,979 for Sparks — 26% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Sparks has a 73% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 34.3x 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
Sparks — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Sparks, NV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Sparks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 2,979.1 | -766.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 395.3 | +333.3 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 4.5 | +2.4 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 83.9 | -43.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 56.0 | +153.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 250.0 | +221.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 2,583.8 | -1,099.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 301.4 | +71.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,964.7 | -1,113.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 317.7 | -58.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Sparks safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 2,979 for Sparks — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Sparks has 395.3. Sparks 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 Sparks, NV
Sparks, Nevada, a city east of Reno, was once known as "The Crossroads of the West" due to its railroad heritage. With a population exceeding 100,000, it's a significant part of the Truckee Meadows region. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 110,807, Sparks has a total crime rate of 2,979.1 per 100,000 residents.