Is Costa Mesa or San Antonio Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Costa Mesa is safer than San Antonio (Safety Score 12/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,575 per 100,000 versus 5,219 for San Antonio — 31% lower. Costa Mesa has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Costa Mesa has a 67% lower rate.
Note: San Antonio is 14.1x 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
San Antonio — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Costa Mesa, CA
San Antonio, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Costa Mesa | San Antonio | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,575.3 | 5,219.0 | -1,643.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 738.6 | 595.3 | +143.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 8.4 | -5.6 |
| Rape Rate | 61.6 | 83.7 | -22.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 74.6 | 108.4 | -33.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 598.7 | 393.7 | +205.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,836.8 | 4,623.6 | -1,786.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 371.2 | 495.6 | -124.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,183.1 | 3,291.8 | -1,108.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 282.6 | 836.3 | -553.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Costa Mesa or San Antonio safer?
Costa Mesa is safer with a total crime rate of 3,575 per 100K vs 5,219 for San Antonio — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Costa Mesa has a violent crime rate of 738.6 per 100K while San Antonio has 595.3. San Antonio 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 San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, a South Texas city famed for the Alamo, sits along the Balcones Escarpment. Its population is predominantly Hispanic, reflecting a rich blend of cultures. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,514,458, San Antonio has a total crime rate of 5,219.0 per 100,000 residents.