Is Fort Worth or La Mesa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, La Mesa is safer than Fort Worth (Safety Score 47/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,794 per 100,000 versus 3,158 for Fort Worth — 43% lower. Fort Worth has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where La Mesa has a 49% lower rate.
Note: Fort Worth is 16.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fort Worth — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
La Mesa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Worth, TX
La Mesa, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Worth | La Mesa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,158.5 | 1,794.5 | +1,364.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 458.7 | 415.9 | +42.8 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 6.6 | +0.8 |
| Rape Rate | 55.2 | 13.3 | +42.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 72.6 | 82.9 | -10.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 323.1 | 313.2 | +10.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,699.8 | 1,378.6 | +1,321.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 344.6 | 220.4 | +124.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,841.9 | 896.4 | +945.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 513.4 | 261.8 | +251.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Worth or La Mesa safer?
La Mesa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,794 per 100K vs 3,158 for Fort Worth — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Worth has a violent crime rate of 458.7 per 100K while La Mesa has 415.9. La Mesa has lower violent crime.
About Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth, a city where the West begins, boasts a rich cattle drive history evident in the Stockyards National Historic District. Located in North Central Texas, it's a populous city within the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 997,476, Fort Worth has a total crime rate of 3,158.5 per 100,000 residents.
About La Mesa, CA
La Mesa, "The Jewel of the Hills," is a city in San Diego County. Once home to a major stagecoach stop, it sits east of downtown San Diego, with a population exceeding 60,000. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 60,352, La Mesa has a total crime rate of 1,794.5 per 100,000 residents.