Is Los Angeles or Wheeling Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Wheeling (Safety Score 35/100 vs 20/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 2,975 for Wheeling — 26% lower. Los Angeles has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wheeling has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 146.3x 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
Wheeling — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Wheeling, WV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Wheeling | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 2,974.8 | -762.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 982.6 | -254.1 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 0.0 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 54.0 | -13.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 54.0 | +155.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 874.7 | -403.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,992.2 | -508.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 558.8 | -186.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,321.7 | -470.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 111.8 | +147.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Wheeling safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 2,975 for Wheeling — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Wheeling has 982.6. Los Angeles 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 Wheeling, WV
Wheeling, a historic Ohio River city, once served as West Virginia's first state capital. Its population of around 27,000 residents reflects a legacy of industry and a unique Appalachian-Rust Belt identity. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 25,951, Wheeling has a total crime rate of 2,974.8 per 100,000 residents.