In This Article
- How Do Crime Rates in Conejo Valley Compare to Los Angeles?
- How Safe is Thousand Oaks Compared to Other LA Communities?
- Why is Conejo Valley So Much Safer Than Greater LA?
- Which Neighborhoods Have the Lowest Crime Rates in Each Area?
- What Do the Latest Crime Trends Show for 2024-2026?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Crime Rates in Conejo Valley vs LA
When comparing crime rates Conejo Valley vs LA, the data reveals striking differences that help explain why families continue moving from the greater Los Angeles area to communities like Thousand Oaks. Ventura County, which encompasses the Conejo Valley, logged 16.67 crimes per 1,000 residents in 2024, placing it first among California's 16 largest counties , while Los Angeles recorded approximately 3,115 total crimes per 100,000 residents in 2024 . This means residents in the Conejo Valley face crime rates that are roughly half of what Los Angeles experiences.
How Do Crime Rates in Conejo Valley Compare to Los Angeles?
The crime statistics paint a clear picture of safety differences between these regions. Ventura County had the third lowest violent crime rate and the second lowest property crime rate among large counties statewide , while Los Angeles recorded 27,656 violent crimes (728 per 100,000 individuals) and 56,335 property crimes (1,484 per 100,000 residents) in 2024 .
For context, Thousand Oaks reported 1,374 total crimes with an overall crime rate of 1,122.9 per 100,000 people, including a violent crime rate of 102.2 per 100,000 people and property crime rate of 1,020.7 per 100,000 people . Overall, crime in Thousand Oaks is 47.01% below the national average .
Crime Rate Comparison: Crimes per 100,000 Residents (2024)
01,0002,0003,0001,6653,115167Ventura CountyLos AngelesThousand Oaks
Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reports, California DOJ, January 2026
| Location | Violent Crime Rate (per 100k) |
Property Crime Rate (per 100k) |
Total Crime Rate (per 100k) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thousand Oaks | 102.2 | 1,020.7 | 1,122.9 |
| Los Angeles | 728 | 1,484 | 3,115 |
| Ventura County | ~331* | ~1,336* | 1,667 |
*Estimated rates based on county-wide statistics
How Safe is Thousand Oaks Compared to Other LA Communities?
Thousand Oaks stands out as one of California's safest cities. The cities of Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley ranked 4th and 5th in terms of lowest overall crime rates in the United States and 1st and 2nd in California based on FBI data . The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Thousand Oaks is 1 in 88 .
In contrast, your chances of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Los Angeles is 1 in 119, while the odds of being a victim of a property crime is 1 in 36 . Los Angeles ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime, translating into a 1 in 138 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime .
Westlake Village, another Conejo Valley community served by Davis Bartels, also demonstrates exceptional safety. Westlake Village is safer than 82% of California cities, and 56% compared to all other cities across America . The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Westlake Village is 1 in 677 .
Popular local spots like Philz Coffee on Moorpark Road, Café Ficelle on Thousand Oaks Boulevard, and Wildwood Regional Park enjoy the security that comes with being in one of California's safest regions.
Why is Conejo Valley So Much Safer Than Greater LA?
Several factors contribute to the significantly lower crime rates in the Conejo Valley compared to Los Angeles. The Civic Alliance noted that Ventura County avoided the sharp crime increases seen in many parts of the country during the early 2020s, and although several cities experienced modest upticks in violent crime in 2023 and 2024, data show the county remains comparatively safe .
The suburban nature of communities like Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, and Agoura Hills creates natural crime deterrents, though residents should also consider other risk factors like fire risk in Conejo Valley neighborhoods. Thousand Oaks residents generally consider the northeast part of the city to be the safest , while areas around The Oaks Mall and residential neighborhoods near Lang Ranch Elementary School maintain consistently low incident rates.
Ventura Police Chief David Dickey reported an 8% decline in vagrancy-related complaints in 2024, noting that "long-term crime trends reflect years of strong partnership between officers and the community" and that "crime rates remain far below where they were a decade ago" .
Which Neighborhoods Have the Lowest Crime Rates in Each Area?
Within the Conejo Valley, specific neighborhoods consistently rank among the safest in California. The cities of Moorpark and Thousand Oaks remain among the safest in California for their size . Areas like North Ranch, Lang Ranch, and Dos Vientos maintain some of the lowest crime statistics in Ventura County.
In contrast, crime distribution across Los Angeles neighborhoods shows extreme variation, with a 7.5-fold difference between the highest and lowest crime areas, with Downtown LA recording 17 homicides in a recent reporting period, while numerous westside neighborhoods recorded zero .
Popular Conejo Valley destinations that benefit from low crime rates include:
- Ragamuffin Roasters coffee shop
- Gardens of the World
- Old Place Restaurant in Cornell
- The Lakes Country Club
What Do the Latest Crime Trends Show for 2024-2026?
Recent crime trends show both regions moving in positive directions, though maintaining their relative positions. Crime in Los Angeles is down overall, with a clear downward trend since the pandemic-era peak in 2021, including a 14% reduction in homicides, a 19% decrease in shooting victims, and a 6.7% drop in property crimes in 2024 .
Although crime increased slightly from the record low of 2022, Ventura County continues to outperform every other large county in the state . Overall crime in Ventura County today is less than half of what it was 30 years ago and remains far below levels seen a decade ago .
The 2024 Thousand Oaks crime rate fell by 7% compared to 2023, continuing the city's trajectory as one of Southern California's safest communities.
Thinking About Making the Move from LA to Conejo Valley?
If you're considering relocating from Los Angeles to enjoy the safety and quality of life that communities like Thousand Oaks offer, Davis Bartels can help you understand your options. With nearly 1,000 homes sold since 2009 and deep local expertise in neighborhoods from Westlake Village to Agoura Hills, he knows which areas best match your family's needs and budget. Parents should also know about special education programs in the area, and buyers should prepare for multiple offers in the Conejo Valley market. When you're ready to make the move, you'll also want to understand the insurance landscape, particularly how to get homeowners insurance in the Conejo Valley and the impact of the California insurance crisis on home sales. For those looking to maximize their property investment, consider ADU investing opportunities.
Contact Davis: davisbartels.com
Frequently Asked Questions About Crime Rates in Conejo Valley vs LA
Is Thousand Oaks really safer than Los Angeles?
Yes, significantly safer. Thousand Oaks has a violent crime rate of 102.2 per 100,000 residents compared to Los Angeles' rate of 728 per 100,000. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 677 in areas like Westlake Village versus 1 in 119 in Los Angeles. Overall, crime in Thousand Oaks is 47% below the national average.
What makes Ventura County so safe compared to LA County?
Ventura County ranked as the safest large county in California in 2024 with 16.67 crimes per 1,000 residents. The county avoided the sharp crime increases seen during the early 2020s and benefits from strong community policing partnerships. Suburban layouts, lower population density, and proactive law enforcement contribute to the safety advantage.
Are crime rates in both areas improving?
Yes, both regions show improving trends. Los Angeles saw a 14% reduction in homicides and 19% decrease in shooting victims in 2024. Ventura County continues to outperform other large counties despite a slight uptick from record 2022 lows. Overall crime in Ventura County remains less than half of what it was 30 years ago.
Which specific neighborhoods in Conejo Valley have the lowest crime rates?
Thousand Oaks residents consider the northeast areas safest, while neighborhoods like North Ranch, Lang Ranch, and Dos Vientos consistently rank among California's safest communities. Moorpark and Thousand Oaks remain among the safest cities in California for their size, with areas near quality schools and parks maintaining particularly low incident rates.
