Carlsbad, CA vs Costa Mesa, CA

Carlsbad is safer with a higher safety score by 16 points. Carlsbad, CA has a safety score of 74/100 while Costa Mesa, CA has 58/100, based on FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

Carlsbad, CA has a violent crime rate of 199.1 per 100,000 residents, while Costa Mesa, CA has 737.6 per 100,000. Lower rates indicate safer communities. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Carlsbad, CA has a property crime rate of 1511.2 per 100,000, compared to 2836.8 per 100,000 in Costa Mesa, CA. Property crimes include burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft.

Safety scores range from 0-100, combining violent crime rates, property crime rates, and population data from the FBI UCR. Higher scores mean safer cities. Grades: A (80+), B (65-79), C (50-64), D (40-49), F (below 40).

Based on crime data alone, Carlsbad is safer. However, safety is just one factor — also consider cost of living, job market, schools, and quality of life. Visit our city pages for more details on each.