Is Lake Havasu City or Mesa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Havasu City is safer than Mesa (Safety Score 48/100 vs 42/100), with a total crime rate of 1,751 per 100,000 versus 1,948 for Mesa — 10% lower. Lake Havasu City has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake Havasu City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Mesa is 8.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake Havasu City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mesa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Havasu City, AZ
Mesa, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Havasu City | Mesa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,751.3 | 1,947.9 | -196.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 357.3 | 483.3 | -126.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.7 | -2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 48.4 | 44.2 | +4.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 13.4 | 50.2 | -36.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 293.8 | 385.5 | -91.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,394.0 | 1,464.6 | -70.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 233.7 | 187.7 | +46.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,070.2 | 1,078.5 | -8.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 90.2 | 198.4 | -108.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Havasu City or Mesa safer?
Lake Havasu City is safer with a total crime rate of 1,751 per 100K vs 1,948 for Mesa — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Havasu City has a violent crime rate of 357.3 per 100K while Mesa has 483.3. Lake Havasu City has lower violent crime.
About Lake Havasu City, AZ
Lake Havasu City, home to the London Bridge, is a desert city in Arizona's Mohave County. Its population swells with winter visitors and spring break revelers, drawn to the Colorado River and surrounding recreational lands. With a safety score of 48/100 and a population coverage of 59,898, Lake Havasu City has a total crime rate of 1,751.3 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.