Costa Mesa, CA vs Evanston, IL

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

Costa Mesa, CA has a violent crime rate of 737.6 per 100,000 residents, while Evanston, IL has 141.6 per 100,000. Lower rates indicate safer communities. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Costa Mesa, CA has a property crime rate of 2836.8 per 100,000, compared to 2742.1 per 100,000 in Evanston, IL. 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, Evanston 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.