Is Los Angeles or Watertown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Watertown is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 40/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 2,012 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 9% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Watertown has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 105.8x 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
Watertown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Watertown, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Watertown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 2,012.0 | +200.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 153.3 | +575.3 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 0.0 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 25.1 | +15.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 8.4 | +201.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 119.8 | +351.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,858.7 | -374.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 53.0 | +319.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,780.7 | -929.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 25.1 | +234.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Watertown safer?
Watertown is safer with a total crime rate of 2,012 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Watertown has 153.3. Watertown 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 Watertown, MA
Watertown, a historic Middlesex County town, sits along the Charles River just west of Boston. It was home to the Perkins School for the Blind, where Helen Keller studied. The town has a diverse population, including a notable Armenian community. With a safety score of 40/100 and a population coverage of 35,885, Watertown has a total crime rate of 2,012.0 per 100,000 residents.