Strips of sunny beaches, star-studded hilltops, moviemakers, and eternal sunshine are some of the many draws of living in the Los Angeles area.
The actual La La Land is where dreams are made for wannabe film stars and beyond.
With so much to offer, L.A. is an excellent vacation destination and a great place to live.
Like other major cities, L.A. often gets a bad rap for its crime and homelessness problem.
While both are accurate assessments, these two undesirable aspects of society occur in pockets and aren’t widespread throughout the L.A. Basin.
If you’re interested in visiting or relocating to Los Angeles, it’s critical to understand the safest neighborhoods in the city so you are best informed on where to live.
Keep reading to learn more!
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10 Safest Neighborhoods in Los Angeles
Ten: Playa Del Ray
Kicking off this top 10 list is Playa Del Ray, which has a population of 12,900.
Typically described as a quiet neighborhood close to the beach, Playa Del Ray is an excellent place to raise a family, with plenty of outdoor activities.
This neighborhood has a crime rate of 1,686 per 100,000 residents, which equates to a crime rate 35 percent lower than the state average and 28 percent lower than the national average.
Nine: Silver Lake
Silver Lake is number nine because it’s a safe and wonderful place for young singles and professionals.
Historically, Silver Lake was a neighborhood you want to avoid, but it has dramatically gentrified over the years, so much so that the median 2022 home price is $1.73 million.
Located between Los Feliz and Echo Park, this neighborhood of just under 31,000 has a low crime rate that’s around 30% under the city average, with little crime spillover from the surrounding area.
Eight: Porter Ranch
Situated in the San Fernando Valley, Porter Ranch is home to 30,571 residents and has a median rent price of $2,763 and a home price of $681,550.
This neighborhood is well-known for having many retirees and families due to its suburban feel and plenty of green spaces.
As one of the greenest places in L.A., Porter Ranch has maintained a crime rate that is approximately 33 percent lower than the city average.
Seven: Brentwood
Brentwood is an incredibly safe area with a 37 percent lower crime rate than the L.A. average.
The crime that exists is isolated property incidences, with violent crimes being rare.
Ironically, Brentwood is the neighborhood where the OJ Simpson murder case occurred in 1994.
With this high safety level comes a high price tag, a $2.2 million median home price among the 31,000 residents.
Six: Encino
Encino is known for having a diverse mix of retirees, families, young professionals, and singles.
Nestled in the San Fernando Valley, Encino is considered affordable, with a median rent of $1,475 and a median home price of $753,866, and safe, with a crime rate around 45 percent lower than the city average.
While the home price may seem expensive, compared to L.A.’s median home price of $1 million and $2,700 monthly rent, Encino is a bargain!
Five: Playa Vista
Housing a population of 13,697, Playa Vista is safer than 60 percent of all L.A. neighborhoods, making it an ideal location for families, young professionals, singles, and students.
The two biggest draws to the neighborhood are the proximity to the beach and the ability to offer an affordable lifestyle.
In most neighborhoods, the closer to the coast, the more expensive the prices become.
Four: Los Feliz
Lost Feliz is a tranquil neighborhood with sporadic crimes and a suburban/urban feel, delivering the best of both worlds.
This neighborhood is slightly safer than Playa Vista, with a 61 percent lower crime rating than the rest of Los Angeles.
Los Feliz is close to Downtown and Hollywood, making it an excellent destination for young professionals.
Three: Studio City
Situated in the Southeast Fernando Valley, Studio City is best known for its proximity to Hollywood and the dozens of celebrities who have graced its borders over the years.
Studio City has a population of 40,449 and a crime rate that is around 63 percent lower than the rest.
Violent crimes are unheard of in this part of town, with most crimes being property-related.
Two: Sherman Oaks
Boasting a crime rate that’s 53 percent lower than the U.S. average and 58 percent lower than California, Sherman Oaks is known as one of the most expensive areas in Los Angeles.
The median home price was approximately $1.7 million in 2022 amongst a population of 70,000.
One: Bel Air
Coming in at the top spot is Bel Air, the safest neighborhood in Los Angeles.
The crime rate is 65 percent lower than in all other L.A. neighborhoods.
Boasting a small population of just under 11,000, residents have a small chance of being the victim of crime in this neighborhood.
This high safety rating has a high home price tag of a $4.5 million median cost.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Los Angeles
One: Be Prepared for Earthquakes
Although the last dangerous earthquake occurred in 1994, it doesn’t mean earthquakes never happen.
Los Angeles sits on the San Andreas Fault Line, so tremors and smaller earthquakes are an inevitable part of life in the city.
If you happen to be caught in a major earthquake, it’s essential to follow these tips:
- Duck into a doorway.
- Pull to the side of the road away from overpasses and bridges.
- Avoid power lines, trees, and elevators.
- Remain clear of mirrors, windows, or items that could fall.
- Get under a sturdy table or desk if indoors.
Two: Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Los Angeles is the second largest city in the U.S., so plenty of desolate, run-down, abandoned, and dark areas exist where criminal activity occurs out of the public eye.
Therefore, always avoid these areas and remain on well-lit, crowded streets to ensure you aren’t mugged or cornered without anyone being around.
If you end up in a poorly lit or abandoned area, calmly turn around and go back in the direction you came to get back to the main section of the city quickly.
Three: Keep Bags in Front of You When Sitting
This is a crucial safety point when sitting in bars, restaurants, and cafes.
By keeping your bag in front of you or on your lap while seated, you’re eliminating the potential for a criminal to walk by, casually unzip your bag, and steal the contents.
Many criminals are highly skilled and can do this quickly in a crowded room without anyone noticing, so keep your bag at the front of your body.
Four: Don’t Flaunt Valuables in Public
Flaunting valuables in public is asking for trouble.
Cash, jewelry, and expensive electronics always catch the eye of criminals, especially when in crowded places.
This can result in pickpocketing and scams, or if you wander in a secluded spot, the criminal could follow you if they think the items are worth pursuing.
Simply put, leave the valuables at home and cash in your wallet to avoid any issues.
Also, keep your wallet and phone in the front pocket where it’s more difficult to lift.
Five: Lock Your Car and Store All Items Out of Sight
Like most major cities, Los Angeles is subject to car break-ins.
Most criminals don’t break into cars unless they see items sitting on the seat.
Therefore, always store items out of sight, even if they aren’t valuable, and lock your vehicle.
Also, park in lots that are well-lit at night, and be aware of your path when walking indoors to your car if nobody is around.
Los Angeles Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Los Angeles Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
Is L.A. a safe place for tourists to visit?
As the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles offers countless activities and attractions, ranging from exciting nightlife, outdoor activities, wineries, and breweries to movie studios, Venice Beach, and the Sunset Strip.
This means L.A. is a wonderful, exciting, and safe place to visit.
It’s important to note that many neighborhoods are unsafe due to policy changes, poverty, and other societal factors that must be avoided when visiting to remain safe.
How do I blend in with locals in Los Angeles?
The old statement about Angelenos dressing casually for most situations is true, so follow suit and don’t overdress.
If you’re a man, wear an untucked button-down shirt and a nice pair of jeans in almost all social and professional settings.
If you’re a woman, jeans, heels, or a casual dress is acceptable.
By overdressing, you’re calling out to the public that you’re a tourist, which makes you an easy target for crimes.
Is downtown L.A. a good place for tourists?
Downtown Los Angeles has a gritter edge compared to many tourist areas across the city.
However, Downtown is also home to some of Southern California’s most historic and beautiful buildings, so it’s worthwhile to visit.
The all-industrial Arts District and Historic Core are two main draws for visiting the area.
The Arts District has exploded from former warehouses and industrial buildings to some of the best bars and restaurants in the city.
