Is Flagstaff or Mesa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Mesa is safer than Flagstaff (Safety Score 42/100 vs 24/100), with a total crime rate of 1,948 per 100,000 versus 2,698 for Flagstaff — 28% lower. Flagstaff has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Mesa has a 58% lower rate.
Note: Mesa is 6.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Flagstaff — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mesa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Flagstaff, AZ
Mesa, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Flagstaff | Mesa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,697.8 | 1,947.9 | +749.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 465.8 | 483.3 | -17.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.5 | 2.7 | +3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 70.7 | 44.2 | +26.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 53.6 | 50.2 | +3.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 332.3 | 385.5 | -53.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,232.0 | 1,464.6 | +767.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 123.0 | 187.7 | -64.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,970.4 | 1,078.5 | +891.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 138.7 | 198.4 | -59.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flagstaff or Mesa safer?
Mesa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,948 per 100K vs 2,698 for Flagstaff — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Flagstaff has a violent crime rate of 465.8 per 100K while Mesa has 483.3. Flagstaff has lower violent crime.
About Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, Arizona, a city with a rich railroad history, sits at an elevation of 7,000 feet near the San Francisco Peaks. It's home to Northern Arizona University, a major employer. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 76,433, Flagstaff has a total crime rate of 2,697.8 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.