Is Los Angeles or Watertown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Watertown (Safety Score 35/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 4,528 for Watertown — 51% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Watertown has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 158.0x 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, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Watertown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 4,527.9 | -2,315.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 599.3 | +129.3 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 0.0 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 166.5 | -126.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 37.5 | +172.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 395.4 | +76.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 3,928.6 | -2,444.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 387.0 | -14.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 3,420.9 | -2,569.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 120.7 | +139.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Watertown safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 4,528 for Watertown — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Watertown has 599.3. 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, NY
Watertown, NY, a city along the Black River, boasts the first department store in the nation, founded by F.W. Woolworth. Situated just south of Fort Drum, it serves as a regional hub for Jefferson County. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 24,029, Watertown has a total crime rate of 4,527.9 per 100,000 residents.