Is Austin or La Mesa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, La Mesa is safer than Austin (Safety Score 47/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,794 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 52% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where La Mesa has a 57% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 16.3x 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
La Mesa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
La Mesa, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | La Mesa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,794.5 | +1,914.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 415.9 | +51.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 6.6 | 0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 13.3 | +54.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 82.9 | +2.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 313.2 | -5.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,378.6 | +1,863.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 220.4 | +224.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 896.4 | +1,301.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 261.8 | +336.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or La Mesa safer?
La Mesa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,794 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while La Mesa has 415.9. La Mesa 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 La Mesa, CA
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. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 60,352, La Mesa has a total crime rate of 1,794.5 per 100,000 residents.