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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, La Mesa, CA has a Safety Score of 47/100 — higher crime than 53% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,794.5 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,589 of 2,971 US cities and #95 of 264 in California.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is La Mesa, California Safe?
La Mesa, "The Jewel of the Hills," is a city in San Diego County. Once home to a major stagecoach stop, it sits east of downtown San Diego, with a population exceeding 60,000.
La Mesa has a safety score of 47/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,794.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
La Mesa ranks #95 out of 264 cities in California and #1589 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 47th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 53% of US cities.
Year over year, La Mesa's total crime rate decreased by 12%, with violent crime rising 9.9%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
La Mesa Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 251 | 415.9 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 4 | 6.6 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 8 | 13.3 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 50 | 82.9 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 189 | 313.2 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 832 | 1,378.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 133 | 220.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 541 | 896.4 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 158 | 261.8 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
La Mesa vs California Average
How does La Mesa's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | La Mesa | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 415.9 | 518.0 | -19.7% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,378.6 | 2,161.3 | -36.2% |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 4.4 | +50.7% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,794.5 | 2,679.3 | -33.0% |
La Mesa Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for La Mesa, California.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 60,352 | 1,794.5 | 415.9 | 1,378.6 |
| 2023 | 60,008 | 2,038.1 | 378.3 | 1,659.8 |
| 2022 | 60,333 | 2,395.0 | 305.0 | 2,090.1 |
| 2021 | 59,968 | 2,252.9 | 301.8 | 1,951.0 |
| 2020 | 59,488 | 2,045.8 | 304.3 | 1,741.5 |
| 2019 | 59,865 | 1,961.1 | 290.7 | 1,670.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is La Mesa, California safe?
La Mesa has a safety score of 47/100, meaning it has less crime than about 47% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,794.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, La Mesa is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in La Mesa, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, La Mesa has a violent crime rate of 415.9 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,378.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does La Mesa compare to the national average?
La Mesa's total crime rate of 1,794.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 60,352 residents.
What types of crime are most common in La Mesa?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in La Mesa include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is La Mesa safe to visit?
Like any city, La Mesa has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 47/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.