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Los Angeles vs San Francisco: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Los Angeles has a crime rate of 32 per 1,000 residents vs San Francisco's 49.5 per 1,000, making Los Angeles 35% safer overall. Los Angeles earns a C- safety grade compared to San Francisco's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

C-

Los Angeles

California

Overall GradeC-
Violent CrimeD
Property CrimeC
Crime Rate32/1K
Percentile27%
F

San Francisco

California

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate49.5/1K
Percentile4%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricLos AngelesSan Francisco
Overall Crime Rate32/1K49.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate700.0450.0
Property Crime Rate2500.04500.0
Murder Rate10.26.8
Assault Rate490.2288.5
Robbery Rate140.961.0
Burglary Rate327.5699.8
Theft Rate1736.23660.4
Vehicle Theft Rate273.11091.0

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Los Angeles is safer in 5 and San Francisco is safer in 4.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Los Angeles, you have a 1 in 31 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 20 in San Francisco.

Full Safety Reports

C-
Los Angeles, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
F
San Francisco, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Los Angeles vs San Francisco

Los Angeles Climate Overview

Annual High75°F
Annual Low56.7°F
Annual Rain14.7"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months12
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthFebruary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarm

San Francisco Climate Overview

Annual High64.1°F
Annual Low51°F
Annual Rain22.2"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months9
Best MonthSeptember
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Comfortable

Monthly Temperature Comparison

Los AngelesSan FranciscoHigh/Low °F range
40°50°60°70°80°90°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Los Angeles is 14°F warmer in summer than San Francisco, but winter temperatures are comparable. San Francisco is wetter with 22" of annual rain compared to 15". Los Angeles has more comfortable weather months (12 vs 9).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Los Angeles safer than San Francisco?
As of 2026, Los Angeles is 35% safer overall, with a crime rate of 32 per 1,000 residents compared to San Francisco's 49.5. Los Angeles earns a C- safety grade vs San Francisco's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Los Angeles or San Francisco?
Los Angeles has more violent crime at 700 per 100,000 residents. San Francisco is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Los Angeles vs San Francisco?
Los Angeles has a crime rate of 32 per 1,000 (violent: 700/100K, property: 2500/100K). San Francisco has 49.5 per 1,000 (violent: 450/100K, property: 4500/100K).
Should I move to Los Angeles or San Francisco?
From a safety perspective, Los Angeles has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Los Angeles (pop. 3,869,089) and San Francisco (pop. 826,079) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Los Angeles's C- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Los Angeles and San Francisco compare for property crime?
Los Angeles has lower property crime at 2500 per 100K vs San Francisco's 4500. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San DiegoLos Angeles vs SacramentoLos Angeles vs New YorkSan Francisco vs San DiegoSan Francisco vs San JoseSan Francisco vs New York

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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