Is Austin or Costa Mesa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Costa Mesa is safer than Austin (Safety Score 12/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,575 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 4% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Costa Mesa has a 58% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 9.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Austin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Costa Mesa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Costa Mesa, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Costa Mesa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,575.3 | +134.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 738.6 | -271.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 2.8 | +3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 61.6 | +6.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 74.6 | +10.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 598.7 | -291.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,836.8 | +405.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 371.2 | +74.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 2,183.1 | +15.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 282.6 | +316.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Costa Mesa safer?
Costa Mesa is safer with a total crime rate of 3,575 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Costa Mesa has 738.6. Austin has lower violent crime.
About Austin, TX
Austin, the "Live Music Capital of the World," is a rapidly growing city in Central Texas. Situated on the Colorado River, it's the state capital and home to a diverse population, including many young professionals drawn to its tech industry. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 984,613, Austin has a total crime rate of 3,709.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Costa Mesa, CA
Costa Mesa, a city of over 110,000 in Orange County, is known for its Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Bordered by the Santa Ana River to the west, it features diverse residential and commercial areas. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 107,235, Costa Mesa has a total crime rate of 3,575.3 per 100,000 residents.