Let’s dive deep into some stats, look at crime rates and graphs, and see how safe or dangerous Los Angeles really is.
What is the crime rate in Los Angeles?
In 2021, Los Angeles reported 30,078 violent crimes and had a crime rate of 804.28 per 100,000 population. Los Angeles’ crime rate is twice the national average and is on par with cities like Dallas, Phoenix, and Atlanta.
|
Population |
violent crime |
Crime rate in Los Angeles |
|
|
2017 |
3,952,002 |
30,507 |
771.94 |
|
2018 |
3,960,456 |
30 126 |
760.67 |
|
2019 |
3,967,323 |
28,939 |
729.43 |
|
2020 |
3,898,747 |
28,359 |
727.39 |
|
2021 |
3,739,740 |
30,078 |
804.28 |
Here is a scale to give you an idea of the violent crime rate in Los Angeles:
*All data from Los Angeles Police Department*
Does Los Angeles have a high crime rate?
Los Angeles has a high crime rate. Its crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, but still below the level of a “at risk” city.
Breakdown of crime rate in Los Angeles
Violent crime rate
Year over year, violent crime increased by 6%.
You have a 1 in 124 chance of being a victim of a violent crime in Los Angeles.
Here is a graph showing the evolution of violent crime in Los Angeles over a 12-year period. Violent crime was at its lowest level in 2013 and has nearly doubled since then.
* Violent crimes include; homicides, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults.
Murder rate
In 2021, Los Angeles reported 397 murders and had a murder rate of 10.62 per 100,000 population.
Los Angeles’ murder rate is 1.6 times the national average.
You have a 1 in 9,420 chance of being a murder victim in Los Angeles.
Here’s a graph showing you how murders have evolved over the past 12 years in Los Angeles. Murders have increased by almost 60% since 2019
Here is a chart showing the murder rates of 14 major cities in the United States. Los Angeles has the 9th highest murder rate and is comparable to cities like Portland, Phoenix and Las Vegas.
|
Murder rate |
|
|
1. Philadelphia |
35.4 |
|
2.Washington D.C. |
32.2 |
|
3. Chicago |
29.3 |
|
4.Oakland |
28.6 |
|
5.Houston |
20.3 |
|
6.Dallas |
16.1 |
|
7. Phoenix |
11.5 |
|
8.Portland |
11 |
|
9. Los Angeles |
10.6 |
|
10. Vegas |
8.7 |
|
11. San Francisco |
6.3 |
|
12. New York |
5.7 |
|
13.San Diego |
4.1 |
|
14. San Jose |
2.9 |
Property crime rate
In 2021, Los Angeles reported 90,090 property crimes and had a property crime rate of 2,408.99 per 100,000 population.
The property crime rate in Los Angeles is 1.2 times the national average.
Year over year, property crimes increased by 4%.
You have a 1 in 42 chance of being a victim of property crime in Los Angeles.
Here is a graph that shows you the evolution of property crimes in Los Angeles over a period of 12 years.
* Property crimes include; burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft and arson
Los Angeles crime rate compared to other cities in California (2020)
Here’s how Los Angeles’ violent crime rate compares to other cities in California. Los Angeles had the highest crime rate of any of California’s most populous cities.
|
Population |
Violent Crimes (2020) |
Violent crime rate (2020) |
|
|
Oakland |
440 646 |
5,937 |
1,347.34 |
|
Stockton |
320 804 |
4023 |
1,254.04 |
|
Los Angeles |
3,898,747 |
28,359 |
727.39 |
|
Sacramento |
524,943 |
3547 |
675.69 |
|
Fresno |
542 107 |
3560 |
656.70 |
|
San Francisco |
873 965 |
4867 |
556.89 |
|
long beach |
466,742 |
2343 |
501.99 |
|
Bakersfield |
403 455 |
2007 |
497.45 |
|
San Jose |
1,013,240 |
4375 |
431.78 |
|
San Diego |
1,386,932 |
5303 |
382.35 |
|
Anaheim |
346,824 |
1241 |
357.82 |
Los Angeles Crime Rate Comparison
Here is a list of the 22 most dangerous cities in the United States ranked by crime rate. Los Angeles crime rate is 3.7 times lower than Monroe, the most dangerous city in the United States
How are Los Angeles crime rates calculated?
The crime rate is calculated by dividing the number of reported crimes by the total population; the result is multiplied by 100,000.
For example, in 2021 there were 397 murders in Los Angeles and the population was 3,739,740. This equates to a murder rate of 10.62 per 100,000 population.
How much has crime increased in Los Angeles??
In 2021, Los Angeles reported 120,168 total crimes, an increase of 4.6% from 2020.
In 2021, Los Angeles reported 30,078 violent crimes, an increase of 6% from 2020.
In 2021, Los Angeles reported 397 murders, an increase of 12% from 2020.
In 2021, Los Angeles reported 90,090 property crimes, an increase of 4.2% from 2020.
Is Los Angeles safe?
Statistically speaking, Los Angeles is a bit of a dangerous city. Its violent crime rate of 804.28 per 100,000 population and murder rate of 10.62 per 100,000 population are significantly higher than the national average.
Facts about Los Angeles, California
- The population of Los Angeles in 2021 is 3,739,740 and is the 2nd most populous city in the United States.
- The city covers an area of 469.49 square miles.
- The city’s median age is 34.1 years.
- The median household income in the city was $65,290. The city’s per capita income was $65,290.
- 16.9% of the population lives below the poverty line.
- 78.3% of residents age 25 and older are high school graduates. 35.6% of residents age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- The median home price in Los Angeles is $950,000 in 2022.
- In 2022, the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles is $2,995.