Is Los Angeles or Sterling Heights Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sterling Heights is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 64/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,273 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 42% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Sterling Heights has a 93% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 28.5x 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
Sterling Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Sterling Heights, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Sterling Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 1,273.1 | +939.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 230.7 | +497.8 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 0.8 | +6.2 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 30.8 | +9.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 15.0 | +194.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 182.6 | +288.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,042.4 | +441.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 76.7 | +296.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 789.1 | +62.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 176.6 | +83.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Sterling Heights safer?
Sterling Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 1,273 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Sterling Heights has 230.7. Sterling Heights 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 Sterling Heights, MI
Sterling Heights, Michigan, a Detroit suburb, is the second-largest city in Macomb County. Once a farming community known for its rhubarb, it now boasts a diverse population exceeding 130,000 residents. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 133,058, Sterling Heights has a total crime rate of 1,273.1 per 100,000 residents.