Is Douglas or Mesa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Douglas is safer than Mesa (Safety Score 51/100 vs 42/100), with a total crime rate of 1,654 per 100,000 versus 1,948 for Mesa — 15% lower. Douglas has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Douglas has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Mesa is 33.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Douglas — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mesa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Douglas, AZ
Mesa, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Douglas | Mesa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,653.8 | 1,947.9 | -294.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 84.6 | 483.3 | -398.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.7 | -2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 44.2 | -44.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 26.0 | 50.2 | -24.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 52.1 | 385.5 | -333.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,569.1 | 1,464.6 | +104.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 286.5 | 187.7 | +98.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,126.4 | 1,078.5 | +47.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.3 | 198.4 | -42.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Douglas or Mesa safer?
Douglas is safer with a total crime rate of 1,654 per 100K vs 1,948 for Mesa — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Douglas has a violent crime rate of 84.6 per 100K while Mesa has 483.3. Douglas has lower violent crime.
About Douglas, AZ
Douglas, a historic border town in Cochise County, Arizona, directly abuts Agua Prieta, Sonora. Its economy was historically tied to copper smelting. The city's population is predominantly Hispanic. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 15,359, Douglas has a total crime rate of 1,653.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Mesa, AZ
Mesa, Arizona, a sprawling Sonoran Desert city, is home to a significant proportion of the state's Mormon population, reflecting its early agricultural settlements. It's the most populous city in the East Valley, bordering Tempe to the west. With a safety score of 42/100 and a population coverage of 513,585, Mesa has a total crime rate of 1,947.9 per 100,000 residents.