Is Costa Mesa or Hamden Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hamden is safer than Costa Mesa (Safety Score 12/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,549 per 100,000 versus 3,575 for Costa Mesa — 1% lower. Costa Mesa has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Hamden has a 42% lower rate.
Costa Mesa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hamden — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Costa Mesa, CA
Hamden, CT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Costa Mesa | Hamden | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,575.3 | 3,548.8 | +26.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 738.6 | 430.7 | +307.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 1.7 | +1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 61.6 | 8.4 | +53.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 74.6 | 55.1 | +19.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 598.7 | 365.6 | +233.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,836.8 | 3,118.1 | -281.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 371.2 | 212.0 | +159.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,183.1 | 2,176.7 | +6.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 282.6 | 729.5 | -446.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Costa Mesa or Hamden safer?
Hamden is safer with a total crime rate of 3,549 per 100K vs 3,575 for Costa Mesa — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Costa Mesa has a violent crime rate of 738.6 per 100K while Hamden has 430.7. Hamden has lower violent crime.
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.
About Hamden, CT
Hamden, a vibrant town bordering New Haven, is home to Quinnipiac University. Nestled at the foot of the Sleeping Giant mountain, it boasts a diverse population and a blend of suburban and more rural areas. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 59,908, Hamden has a total crime rate of 3,548.8 per 100,000 residents.