Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Costa Mesa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Costa Mesa is safer than Charlotte - Mecklenburg (Safety Score 12/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 3,575 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 19% lower. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Costa Mesa has a 74% lower rate.
Note: Charlotte - Mecklenburg is 9.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Charlotte - Mecklenburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Costa Mesa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Costa Mesa, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlotte - Mecklenburg | Costa Mesa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,439.0 | 3,575.3 | +863.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 733.7 | 738.6 | -4.9 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 2.8 | +8.1 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 61.6 | -36.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 130.4 | 74.6 | +55.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 567.0 | 598.7 | -31.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,705.3 | 2,836.8 | +868.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.1 | 371.2 | +55.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,518.2 | 2,183.1 | +335.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 760.0 | 282.6 | +477.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlotte - Mecklenburg or Costa Mesa safer?
Costa Mesa is safer with a total crime rate of 3,575 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte - Mecklenburg — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a violent crime rate of 733.7 per 100K while Costa Mesa has 738.6. Charlotte - Mecklenburg has lower violent crime.
About Charlotte - Mecklenburg, NC
Charlotte-Mecklenburg, a major financial hub, sits in the Carolina Piedmont. The region is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, reflecting its deep ties to motorsports. Its diverse population has grown significantly, making it North Carolina's largest county. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 1,003,130, Charlotte - Mecklenburg has a total crime rate of 4,439.0 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.
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