Is Costa Mesa or Las Vegas Metro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Las Vegas Metro is safer than Costa Mesa (Safety Score 19/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,053 per 100,000 versus 3,575 for Costa Mesa — 15% lower. Costa Mesa has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Costa Mesa has a 55% lower rate.
Note: Las Vegas Metro is 16.0x 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
Las Vegas Metro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Costa Mesa, CA
Las Vegas Metro, NV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Costa Mesa | Las Vegas Metro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,575.3 | 3,052.7 | +522.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 738.6 | 430.0 | +308.6 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 6.2 | -3.4 |
| Rape Rate | 61.6 | 51.6 | +9.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 74.6 | 64.8 | +9.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 598.7 | 307.2 | +291.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,836.8 | 2,622.7 | +214.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 371.2 | 461.5 | -90.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,183.1 | 1,564.5 | +618.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 282.6 | 596.7 | -314.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Costa Mesa or Las Vegas Metro safer?
Las Vegas Metro is safer with a total crime rate of 3,053 per 100K vs 3,575 for Costa Mesa — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Costa Mesa has a violent crime rate of 738.6 per 100K while Las Vegas Metro has 430.0. Las Vegas Metro 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 Las Vegas Metro, NV
Las Vegas Metro encompasses the vibrant Entertainment Capital of the World, a city that sprung from a railroad stop in the Mojave Desert. Its population of over 2.3 million is a diverse mix, drawn to its unique blend of resort tourism and burgeoning tech industries. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 1,716,565, Las Vegas Metro has a total crime rate of 3,052.7 per 100,000 residents.