Is Costa Mesa or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Jose is safer than Costa Mesa (Safety Score 16/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100,000 versus 3,575 for Costa Mesa — 11% lower. Costa Mesa has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Costa Mesa has a 47% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 8.9x 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 Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Costa Mesa, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Costa Mesa | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,575.3 | 3,194.8 | +380.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 738.6 | 606.9 | +131.7 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 2.7 | +0.1 |
| Rape Rate | 61.6 | 77.3 | -15.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 74.6 | 140.8 | -66.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 598.7 | 386.0 | +212.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,836.8 | 2,587.9 | +248.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 371.2 | 427.0 | -55.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,183.1 | 1,523.2 | +659.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 282.6 | 637.6 | -355.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Costa Mesa or San Jose safer?
San Jose is safer with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100K vs 3,575 for Costa Mesa — a 11% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Costa Mesa has a violent crime rate of 738.6 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. San Jose 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 Jose, CA
San Jose, the largest city in Northern California, is a diverse Silicon Valley hub with a rich history, once serving as California's first state capital. Located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay, its population reflects a broad range of ethnicities and income levels. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 956,840, San Jose has a total crime rate of 3,194.8 per 100,000 residents.