Is Maricopa or Mesa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Maricopa is safer than Mesa (Safety Score 70/100 vs 42/100), with a total crime rate of 1,094 per 100,000 versus 1,948 for Mesa — 44% lower. Maricopa has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Maricopa has a 89% lower rate.
Note: Mesa is 6.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Maricopa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mesa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Maricopa, AZ
Mesa, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Maricopa | Mesa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,093.7 | 1,947.9 | -854.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 224.8 | 483.3 | -258.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 2.7 | -0.1 |
| Rape Rate | 6.6 | 44.2 | -37.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.3 | 50.2 | -45.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 210.3 | 385.5 | -175.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 868.9 | 1,464.6 | -595.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 62.2 | 187.7 | -125.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 748.5 | 1,078.5 | -330.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 58.2 | 198.4 | -140.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maricopa or Mesa safer?
Maricopa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,094 per 100K vs 1,948 for Mesa — a 44% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Maricopa has a violent crime rate of 224.8 per 100K while Mesa has 483.3. Maricopa has lower violent crime.
About Maricopa, AZ
Maricopa, Arizona, a city incorporated in 2003, sits in the Sonoran Desert. It's one of the fastest-growing cities in Arizona, with a significant portion of its population commuting to Phoenix for work. With a safety score of 70/100 and a population coverage of 75,614, Maricopa has a total crime rate of 1,093.7 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.