Is Lawton or Mesquite Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lawton is safer than Mesquite (Safety Score 13/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 3,473 per 100,000 versus 3,480 for Mesquite — 0% lower. Lawton has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Mesquite has a 60% lower rate.
Lawton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mesquite — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lawton, OK
Mesquite, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lawton | Mesquite | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,473.1 | 3,479.8 | -6.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 820.3 | 503.4 | +317.0 |
| Murder Rate | 10.0 | 4.0 | +6.0 |
| Rape Rate | 143.0 | 40.3 | +102.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 72.1 | 80.6 | -8.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 595.3 | 376.3 | +218.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,652.7 | 2,976.4 | -323.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 931.2 | 391.8 | +539.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,491.0 | 1,965.0 | -474.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 230.6 | 619.6 | -389.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lawton or Mesquite safer?
Lawton is safer with a total crime rate of 3,473 per 100K vs 3,480 for Mesquite — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lawton has a violent crime rate of 820.3 per 100K while Mesquite has 503.4. Mesquite has lower violent crime.
About Lawton, OK
Lawton, Oklahoma, is home to Fort Sill, a significant U.S. Army post with a rich history. Located in southwestern Oklahoma, the city is the county seat of Comanche County and a regional hub for the surrounding rural areas. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 90,209, Lawton has a total crime rate of 3,473.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Mesquite, TX
Mesquite, a Dallas suburb, was once known as the "Rodeo Capital of Texas." Situated east of Dallas, its population is over 150,000, with a diverse demographic makeup. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 148,803, Mesquite has a total crime rate of 3,479.8 per 100,000 residents.