Is Marana or Mesa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Marana is safer than Mesa (Safety Score 57/100 vs 42/100), with a total crime rate of 1,468 per 100,000 versus 1,948 for Mesa — 25% lower. Marana has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Marana has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Mesa is 8.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Marana — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mesa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Marana, AZ
Mesa, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Marana | Mesa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,467.6 | 1,947.9 | -480.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 117.3 | 483.3 | -365.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.3 | 2.7 | +0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 8.3 | 44.2 | -35.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 6.6 | 50.2 | -43.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 97.5 | 385.5 | -288.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,350.3 | 1,464.6 | -114.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 87.6 | 187.7 | -100.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,203.2 | 1,078.5 | +124.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 59.5 | 198.4 | -138.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marana or Mesa safer?
Marana is safer with a total crime rate of 1,468 per 100K vs 1,948 for Mesa — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Marana has a violent crime rate of 117.3 per 100K while Mesa has 483.3. Marana has lower violent crime.
About Marana, AZ
Marana, Arizona, a growing town north of Tucson, sits in the Sonoran Desert with the Tortolita Mountains to its east. Its rich agricultural history is still evident, with large swaths of farmland contributing to its diverse economic landscape. With a safety score of 57/100 and a population coverage of 60,507, Marana has a total crime rate of 1,467.6 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.