Is Costa Mesa or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Costa Mesa (Safety Score 17/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,575 for Costa Mesa — 13% lower. Costa Mesa has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Costa Mesa has a 67% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 15.5x 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
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Costa Mesa, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Costa Mesa | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,575.3 | 3,125.4 | +450.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 738.6 | 800.0 | -61.5 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 8.4 | -5.6 |
| Rape Rate | 61.6 | 64.3 | -2.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 74.6 | 181.6 | -107.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 598.7 | 545.3 | +53.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,836.8 | 2,325.3 | +511.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 371.2 | 317.2 | +54.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,183.1 | 1,582.1 | +600.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 282.6 | 426.0 | -143.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Costa Mesa or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,575 for Costa Mesa — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Costa Mesa has a violent crime rate of 738.6 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. 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 Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.