Is Costa Mesa or Rockford Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Costa Mesa is safer than Rockford (Safety Score 12/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,575 per 100,000 versus 3,599 for Rockford — 1% lower. Costa Mesa has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Costa Mesa has a 79% lower rate.
Costa Mesa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rockford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Costa Mesa, CA
Rockford, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Costa Mesa | Rockford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,575.3 | 3,598.6 | -23.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 738.6 | 1,081.4 | -342.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 13.1 | -10.3 |
| Rape Rate | 61.6 | 69.5 | -8.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 74.6 | 106.7 | -32.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 598.7 | 890.7 | -292.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,836.8 | 2,517.2 | +319.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 371.2 | 632.6 | -261.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,183.1 | 1,444.8 | +738.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 282.6 | 439.8 | -157.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Costa Mesa or Rockford safer?
Costa Mesa is safer with a total crime rate of 3,575 per 100K vs 3,599 for Rockford — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Costa Mesa has a violent crime rate of 738.6 per 100K while Rockford has 1,081.4. 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 Rockford, IL
Rockford, once known as "Forest City," sits on the Rock River in northern Illinois. Its manufacturing history shaped a blue-collar community of just under 150,000 residents. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 145,280, Rockford has a total crime rate of 3,598.6 per 100,000 residents.