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C

Is La Mesa, California Safe?

Population 59,914 · Safer than 33% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C grade for La Mesa means there's room for concern. The 219.4 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime below the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,389 per 100K.

La Mesa Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricLa MesaCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate226.5333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1968.02099.21,832.3
Murder Rate2.0--5.7
Assault Rate162.0--268.2
Theft Rate1389.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate410.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

219.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

227/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1968/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for La Mesa

Violent crime in La Mesa is below the national average. The rate of 226.5 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1968.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,389 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

La Mesa Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder2
035% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault162
060% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery29
046% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary267
099% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,389
099% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft410
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How La Mesa Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

La Mesa
226.5
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

La Mesa
1968.0
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About La Mesa Safety

Is La Mesa safe?
Not especially. La Mesa earns a C with a crime rate of 219.4 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in La Mesa?
219.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 226.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1968.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is La Mesa safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. La Mesa's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,389 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in La Mesa?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in La Mesa generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the La Mesa police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in La Mesa?
No. Crime in La Mesa has been trending down, which is good news for the C-rated city.
How does La Mesa compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. La Mesa ranks behind about 64% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is La Mesa to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in La Mesa?
Bad. A C grade and 219.4 per-thousand rate put La Mesa below 67% of US cities. Violent crime at 227 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in La Mesa?
226.5 per 100,000, which is 38% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (162), robbery (29), and murder (2.0) 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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