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D-

Is Costa Mesa, California Safe?

Population 108,881 · Safer than 12% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate above the national average, Costa Mesa faces real safety challenges. It earns a D- grade and ranks below 88% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,778 per 100K.

Costa Mesa Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricCosta MesaCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate447.9333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2404.22099.21,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate315.0--268.2
Theft Rate1778.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate547.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD-

285.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

448/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2404/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Costa Mesa

Violent crime in Costa Mesa is above the national average. The rate of 447.9 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2404.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,778 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 315 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Costa Mesa Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault315
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery99
01.6x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary367
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,778
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft547
01.7x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Costa Mesa Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Costa Mesa
447.9
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Costa Mesa
2404.2
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Costa Mesa Safety

Is Costa Mesa safe?
Not especially. Costa Mesa earns a D- with a crime rate of 285.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Costa Mesa?
285.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 447.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2404.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Costa Mesa safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Costa Mesa's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,778 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Costa Mesa?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Costa Mesa generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Costa Mesa police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Costa Mesa?
Crime rates have held steady in Costa Mesa, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D- grade.
How does Costa Mesa compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Costa Mesa ranks behind about 96% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Costa Mesa to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Costa Mesa?
Bad. A D- grade and 285.2 per-thousand rate put Costa Mesa below 88% of US cities. Violent crime at 448 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Costa Mesa?
447.9 per 100,000, which is 23% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (315), robbery (99), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

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View all California city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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