Is La Mesa or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, La Mesa is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 47/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,794 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 43% lower. La Mesa has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where La Mesa has a 54% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 27.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
La Mesa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
La Mesa, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | La Mesa | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,794.5 | 3,125.4 | -1,330.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 415.9 | 800.0 | -384.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 8.4 | -1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 13.3 | 64.3 | -51.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 82.9 | 181.6 | -98.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 313.2 | 545.3 | -232.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,378.6 | 2,325.3 | -946.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 220.4 | 317.2 | -96.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 896.4 | 1,582.1 | -685.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 261.8 | 426.0 | -164.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is La Mesa or Phoenix safer?
La Mesa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,794 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
La Mesa has a violent crime rate of 415.9 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. La Mesa has lower violent crime.
About La Mesa, CA
La Mesa, "The Jewel of the Hills," is a city in San Diego County. Once home to a major stagecoach stop, it sits east of downtown San Diego, with a population exceeding 60,000. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 60,352, La Mesa has a total crime rate of 1,794.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.