Costa Mesa, CA vs Fullerton, CA

Fullerton is safer with a higher safety score by 7 points. Costa Mesa, CA has a safety score of 58/100 while Fullerton, CA has 65/100, based on FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

Costa Mesa, CA has a violent crime rate of 737.6 per 100,000 residents, while Fullerton, CA has 455.3 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 2024.0 per 100,000 in Fullerton, 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, Fullerton 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.