Is La Mesa or San Antonio Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, La Mesa is safer than San Antonio (Safety Score 47/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,794 per 100,000 versus 5,219 for San Antonio — 66% lower. La Mesa has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where La Mesa has a 70% lower rate.
Note: San Antonio is 25.1x 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
San Antonio — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
La Mesa, CA
San Antonio, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | La Mesa | San Antonio | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,794.5 | 5,219.0 | -3,424.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 415.9 | 595.3 | -179.4 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 8.4 | -1.8 |
| Rape Rate | 13.3 | 83.7 | -70.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 82.9 | 108.4 | -25.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 313.2 | 393.7 | -80.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,378.6 | 4,623.6 | -3,245.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 220.4 | 495.6 | -275.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 896.4 | 3,291.8 | -2,395.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 261.8 | 836.3 | -574.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is La Mesa or San Antonio safer?
La Mesa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,794 per 100K vs 5,219 for San Antonio — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
La Mesa has a violent crime rate of 415.9 per 100K while San Antonio has 595.3. 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 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.