Is Los Angeles or St. Louis City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than St. Louis City (Safety Score 35/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 7,076 for St. Louis City — 69% lower. Los Angeles has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Los Angeles has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 13.7x 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
St. Louis City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
St. Louis City, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | St. Louis City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 7,075.9 | -4,863.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 1,368.9 | -640.4 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 54.1 | -47.1 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 58.1 | -17.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 249.6 | -39.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 1,005.4 | -534.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 5,706.9 | -4,223.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 819.7 | -446.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 3,412.3 | -2,560.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 1,475.0 | -1,215.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or St. Louis City safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 7,076 for St. Louis City — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while St. Louis City has 1,368.9. 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 St. Louis City, MO
St. Louis City, Missouri, a major port on the Mississippi River, is home to the iconic Gateway Arch. With a population exceeding 300,000, it's a vibrant Midwestern hub with a rich German heritage. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 277,294, St. Louis City has a total crime rate of 7,075.9 per 100,000 residents.