Is Costa Mesa or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Costa Mesa is safer than Houston (Safety Score 12/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,575 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 34% lower. Costa Mesa has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Costa Mesa has a 80% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 21.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Costa Mesa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Costa Mesa, CA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Costa Mesa | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,575.3 | 5,441.7 | -1,866.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 738.6 | 1,148.3 | -409.7 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 13.8 | -11.0 |
| Rape Rate | 61.6 | 73.0 | -11.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 74.6 | 274.0 | -199.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 598.7 | 787.4 | -188.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,836.8 | 4,293.5 | -1,456.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 371.2 | 644.8 | -273.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,183.1 | 2,945.7 | -762.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 282.6 | 703.0 | -420.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Costa Mesa or Houston safer?
Costa Mesa is safer with a total crime rate of 3,575 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Costa Mesa has a violent crime rate of 738.6 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Costa Mesa 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 Houston, TX
Houston, the "Space City," is a sprawling metropolis in Southeast Texas, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Its diverse population makes it one of the most multicultural cities in the U.S., with significant Hispanic and Asian communities. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 2,319,160, Houston has a total crime rate of 5,441.7 per 100,000 residents.