Is Los Angeles or St. Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than St. Petersburg (Safety Score 35/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for St. Petersburg — 28% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where St. Petersburg has a 61% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 14.3x 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
St. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
St. Petersburg, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | St. Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 3,080.8 | -868.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 621.9 | +106.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 6.8 | +0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 43.4 | -3.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 81.5 | +128.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 487.9 | -16.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 2,458.9 | -975.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 209.4 | +163.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 2,029.8 | -1,178.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 219.6 | +40.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or St. Petersburg safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,081 for St. Petersburg — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while St. Petersburg has 621.9. St. Petersburg 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. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg, Florida, known as the "Sunshine City," boasts a vibrant arts scene and beautiful waterfront parks along Tampa Bay. It is part of the Tampa Bay Area, a major metropolitan region on Florida's Gulf Coast. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 264,999, St. Petersburg has a total crime rate of 3,080.8 per 100,000 residents.