Moving from Mesa, AZ to Payson, AZ?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Mesa, AZ or Payson, AZ Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Payson, AZ is safer than Mesa, AZ (Safety Score 57/100 vs 42/100), with a total crime rate of 1,490 per 100,000 versus 1,948 for Mesa, AZ — 24% lower. Mesa has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Payson has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Mesa is 30.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Mesa, AZ?
Mesa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Payson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mesa, AZ
Payson, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Mesa | Payson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,947.9 | 1,490.1 | +457.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 483.3 | 267.1 | +216.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 0.0 | +2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 44.2 | 0.0 | +44.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.2 | 0.0 | +50.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 385.5 | 261.2 | +124.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,464.6 | 1,222.9 | +241.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.7 | 219.7 | -32.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,078.5 | 872.7 | +205.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.4 | 130.6 | +67.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Mesa, AZ to Payson, AZ?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mesa or Payson safer?
Payson, AZ is safer with a total crime rate of 1,490 per 100K vs 1,948 for Mesa, AZ — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Mesa has a violent crime rate of 483.3 per 100K while Payson has 267.1. Payson 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 Payson, AZ
Payson, Arizona, "Heart of Arizona," is a small town in Gila County, nestled in the Mogollon Rim. Known for its rodeo heritage, it boasts a population of around 16,000, attracting retirees and outdoor enthusiasts. With a safety score of 57/100 and a population coverage of 16,845, Payson has a total crime rate of 1,490.1 per 100,000 residents.