Is Los Angeles or Wellesley Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wellesley is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 91/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 532 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 76% lower. Los Angeles has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wellesley has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 118.7x 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
Wellesley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Wellesley, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Wellesley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 531.7 | +1,680.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 46.9 | +681.6 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 0.0 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 9.4 | +30.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 0.0 | +209.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 37.5 | +433.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 484.8 | +999.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 65.7 | +307.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 378.4 | +473.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 40.7 | +219.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Wellesley safer?
Wellesley is safer with a total crime rate of 532 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 76% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Wellesley has 46.9. Wellesley 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 Wellesley, MA
Wellesley, a affluent Boston suburb known for Wellesley College, occupies a tree-lined landscape with a median household income exceeding $200,000. Its population of around 29,000 residents reflects a highly educated community, with over 80% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. With a safety score of 91/100 and a population coverage of 31,973, Wellesley has a total crime rate of 531.7 per 100,000 residents.