Is Costa Mesa or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Costa Mesa (Safety Score 35/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,575 for Costa Mesa — 38% lower. Costa Mesa has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Costa Mesa has a 64% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 35.4x 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
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Costa Mesa, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Costa Mesa | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,575.3 | 2,212.5 | +1,362.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 738.6 | 728.5 | +10.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 7.0 | -4.2 |
| Rape Rate | 61.6 | 40.3 | +21.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 74.6 | 209.9 | -135.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 598.7 | 471.4 | +127.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,836.8 | 1,483.9 | +1,352.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 371.2 | 372.8 | -1.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,183.1 | 851.5 | +1,331.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 282.6 | 259.6 | +22.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Costa Mesa or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,575 for Costa Mesa — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Costa Mesa has a violent crime rate of 738.6 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, a sprawling Southern California metropolis, is a major Pacific Rim gateway, home to Hollywood's film industry. Its diverse population of nearly 4 million people resides across a vast urban landscape bordered by mountains and the Pacific Ocean. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 3,796,352, Los Angeles has a total crime rate of 2,212.5 per 100,000 residents.