Los Angeles is safer in 2026 than it has been in decades, and for most residents and visitors the main risks are property crime and traffic, not violence. The city recorded the fewest homicides in 2025 since 1966, and reported crime kept falling through early October 2026. Still, risk varies a lot from one area to the next, so local data matters more than citywide averages.
Below are the latest official numbers, how LA compares with the state and the country, and practical steps that lower your risk. For more local explainers, see our Los Angeles and California guides.
What the 2025 numbers show
The Los Angeles Police Department’s 2025 annual report showed a 19% drop in homicides from 2024, according to the City of Los Angeles. That left the year with 230 homicides, the lowest total since 1966. LAPD put the rate at about 5.9 per 100,000 residents.
The same report said 68% of 2025 homicide cases were cleared. In addition, detectives closed 76 homicide cases from earlier years. Shooting victims fell too, from 981 in 2024 to 899 in 2025, based on LAPD figures released in early 2026.
For perspective, the city’s worst year was 1993, with more than 1,000 homicides. So the long-term trend points clearly down, even if single years can rise again.
Crime in 2026 so far
LAPD publishes a weekly COMPSTAT citywide profile. The latest one covers January 1 through October 10, 2026, and compares it with the same period of 2025. The figures are preliminary and may be revised.
| Offense (LAPD, NIBRS counts) | Jan 1-Oct 10, 2026 | Same period, 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide offenses | 229 | 270 | -15.2% |
| Robbery | 5,443 | 5,700 | -4.5% |
| Aggravated assault | 11,604 | 12,039 | -3.6% |
| All person crimes | 18,287 | 19,043 | -4.0% |
| Burglary | 6,774 | 9,173 | -26.2% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 12,482 | 15,725 | -20.6% |
| Theft from vehicles | 17,515 | 19,074 | -8.2% |
| Other larceny | 24,152 | 24,007 | +0.6% |
| All property crimes | 60,923 | 67,979 | -10.4% |
One detail can confuse readers. The weekly report uses the federal NIBRS categories, which count negligent manslaughter together with murder. That is why its homicide line runs higher than the annual murder count above.
Even so, the direction is the same in every major category except general theft. Car thefts and burglaries fell the most, by about a fifth and a quarter.
How Los Angeles compares
LA’s homicide rate is still higher than the state and national averages. According to the FBI’s 2025 national crime estimates, the US murder rate fell to 4.1 per 100,000 people, the lowest since the 1950s. The national violent crime rate was 327.6 per 100,000, down 9.7% from 2024.
California’s numbers sit in between. The California Department of Justice reported a 2025 statewide violent crime rate of 431.1 per 100,000, down 10.2%. The state homicide rate fell to 3.5, a record low, while property crime dropped 14.3%.
| Measure (2025) | Rate per 100,000 |
|---|---|
| Homicide, City of Los Angeles (LAPD) | 5.9 |
| Homicide, California (state DOJ) | 3.5 |
| Murder, United States (FBI) | 4.1 |
| Violent crime, California (state DOJ) | 431.1 |
| Violent crime, United States (FBI) | 327.6 |
Big cities usually run above state averages, because crime tends to cluster in dense areas. As another reference point, the NYPD reported 305 murders in New York City in 2025, in a city with more than twice LA’s population.
Where risk is higher and lower
Citywide numbers hide large local differences. LAPD splits the city into 21 geographic areas, and crime levels vary widely between them. Within one area, a few blocks can also differ.
So the best way to judge a specific street is to look at it directly. LAPD’s crime mapping and COMPSTAT page links to weekly statistics for each area and to a public crime map. If you are looking at a separate city, such as Santa Monica, Pasadena or Long Beach, check that city’s police department instead. Unincorporated areas are covered by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
When you read a crime map, compare like with like. Busy commercial districts record more incidents simply because more people pass through them. That does not always mean a higher risk for a resident who lives nearby.
Safety is one factor in choosing a home, alongside rent and commute time. Our guide to the cost of living in Los Angeles covers the budget side of that choice.
Car break-ins and theft: the risks most people meet
For most people, the likeliest crime is a car break-in or a stolen package. LAPD logged more than 17,500 thefts from vehicles between January 1 and October 10, 2026, which is roughly 60 a day. Car thefts also topped 12,000 over the same period.
A few habits cut those odds:
- Leave nothing visible in a parked car, not even a charging cable or an empty bag.
- Park in well-lit, busy spots, especially near beaches, trailheads and nightlife areas.
- Use a steering wheel lock or a tracker if your car model is a frequent target.
- Have packages delivered to a locker or a workplace if your building has no secure mailroom.
On transit, risk is low per trip. LA Metro reported 6.25 violent and property crimes per million boardings in August 2026, according to figures behind its safety data page.
Traffic and natural hazards
Traffic kills more people in Los Angeles than crime does. City collisions killed about 290 people in 2025, according to LAPD data reported by LAist, which is more than the 230 homicides. More than 150 of those fatal crashes involved pedestrians. So look both ways at crosswalks, avoid phone use while walking at intersections and take extra care at night.
Earthquakes are the other long-term risk. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates a 60% chance of a magnitude 6.7 or larger quake in the Los Angeles region within 30 years. Secure heavy furniture, keep water and supplies for several days, and turn on earthquake alerts on your phone.
Wildfire is a concern in hillside and canyon areas, as the January 2025 fires showed. Before you rent or buy, look up the address on the state’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps. Also sign up for local emergency alerts, because evacuation orders can come fast.
Practical tips for newcomers and visitors
Most safety advice for LA is the same as for any large city. The difference is scale, since you may cover long distances by car or transit in a single day.
- Plan the late trip home. Know how you will get back before you go out, whether by ride-hail, taxi or a rail line that still runs.
- Watch your phone in crowds. Busy tourist areas, stadiums and festivals attract pickpockets and phone snatchers.
- Use official alerts. Wireless emergency alerts reach most phones automatically. The city’s NotifyLA system adds local warnings by text or email.
- Talk to neighbors. People who have lived on a block for years often know more than any map, for example which corners stay busy after dark.
Finally, report crimes even when they seem minor. Police use those reports to decide where to send patrols, and you may need a report number for insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Is Los Angeles dangerous for tourists?
Most visitors face little risk beyond car break-ins and pickpocketing in crowded spots. Keep valuables out of sight, stay in busy areas at night and use official taxis or ride-hail apps.
Is Los Angeles safer than it used to be?
Yes, by the official numbers. Homicides in 2025 were the fewest since 1966, and LAPD counts for 2026 through October 10 show person crimes down 4% and property crimes down about 10%.
Is Los Angeles more dangerous than New York?
LA had a higher homicide rate in 2025, but both cities are far below their peaks. In both, risk depends heavily on the neighborhood and time of day.
How can I check crime in a specific LA neighborhood?
Use LAPD’s crime map and weekly area reports for the City of Los Angeles. For separate cities or unincorporated areas, check the local police department or the Sheriff’s Department.
Have a question about this topic? Ask in the comments below. Our editors read every comment and answer questions here, and we add useful answers to the guide.
Sources
- lacity.gov/news/los-angeles-police-departments-2025-crime-data-repo…
- lapdonlinestrgeacc.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/lapdonlinemedia/cityprof.pdf
- lapdonline.org/office-of-the-chief-of-police/office-of-special-operatio…
- fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-releases-2025-reported-crimes-in…
- cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/resources/reports/Reported Crimes in the Nation 2…
- oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-releases-cali…
- data-openjustice.doj.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2026-07/Crime In CA 2025f.pdf
- nyc.gov/site/nypd/news/PR001/nypd-safest-year-ever-gun-violence-…
- metro.net/safety-support/by-the-numbers
- usgs.gov/faqs/what-probability-earthquake-will-occur-los-angeles-…
- osfm.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/community-wildfire-preparedness-and-mitigatio…
- laist.com/transportation/traffic-collisions-vision-zero