Is Mesa or Oro Valley Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Oro Valley is safer than Mesa (Safety Score 66/100 vs 42/100), with a total crime rate of 1,200 per 100,000 versus 1,948 for Mesa — 38% lower. Mesa has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Oro Valley has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Mesa is 10.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Mesa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Oro Valley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mesa, AZ
Oro Valley, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Mesa | Oro Valley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,947.9 | 1,199.7 | +748.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 483.3 | 51.4 | +431.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 0.0 | +2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 44.2 | 6.2 | +38.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.2 | 2.1 | +48.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 385.5 | 43.1 | +342.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,464.6 | 1,148.3 | +316.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.7 | 57.5 | +130.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,078.5 | 1,049.7 | +28.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.4 | 41.1 | +157.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mesa or Oro Valley safer?
Oro Valley is safer with a total crime rate of 1,200 per 100K vs 1,948 for Mesa — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Mesa has a violent crime rate of 483.3 per 100K while Oro Valley has 51.4. Oro Valley has lower violent crime.
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.
About Oro Valley, AZ
Oro Valley, a picturesque town north of Tucson, is home to the historic Steam Pump Ranch. Nestled against the Santa Catalina Mountains, its population is notably affluent and well-educated. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 48,680, Oro Valley has a total crime rate of 1,199.7 per 100,000 residents.