Is Costa Mesa or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Costa Mesa (Safety Score 38/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,575 for Costa Mesa — 42% lower. Costa Mesa has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where San Diego has a 44% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 13.0x 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
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Costa Mesa, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Costa Mesa | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,575.3 | 2,082.4 | +1,492.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 738.6 | 412.4 | +326.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 2.5 | +0.3 |
| Rape Rate | 61.6 | 21.4 | +40.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 74.6 | 77.4 | -2.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 598.7 | 310.9 | +287.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,836.8 | 1,670.0 | +1,166.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 371.2 | 187.4 | +183.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,183.1 | 1,087.1 | +1,096.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 282.6 | 395.5 | -113.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Costa Mesa or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,575 for Costa Mesa — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Costa Mesa has a violent crime rate of 738.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego 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 Diego, CA
San Diego, California, a major port city with a significant Hispanic population, sits on the Pacific Ocean just north of the Mexican border. Known for its mild climate and Balboa Park, it's also home to a large naval presence. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 1,389,024, San Diego has a total crime rate of 2,082.4 per 100,000 residents.