Is La Mesa or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, La Mesa is safer than Los Angeles (Safety Score 47/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,794 per 100,000 versus 2,212 for Los Angeles — 19% lower. La Mesa has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where La Mesa has a 61% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 62.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
La Mesa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
La Mesa, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | La Mesa | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,794.5 | 2,212.5 | -418.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 415.9 | 728.5 | -312.7 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 7.0 | -0.3 |
| Rape Rate | 13.3 | 40.3 | -27.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 82.9 | 209.9 | -127.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 313.2 | 471.4 | -158.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,378.6 | 1,483.9 | -105.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 220.4 | 372.8 | -152.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 896.4 | 851.5 | +44.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 261.8 | 259.6 | +2.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is La Mesa or Los Angeles safer?
La Mesa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,794 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
La Mesa has a violent crime rate of 415.9 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. La Mesa has lower violent crime.
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.
About Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, a sprawling Southern California metropolis, is a major Pacific Rim gateway, home to Hollywood's film industry. Its diverse population of nearly 4 million people resides across a vast urban landscape bordered by mountains and the Pacific Ocean. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 3,796,352, Los Angeles has a total crime rate of 2,212.5 per 100,000 residents.