Is Mesa or Peoria Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Peoria is safer than Mesa (Safety Score 58/100 vs 42/100), with a total crime rate of 1,463 per 100,000 versus 1,948 for Mesa — 25% lower. Mesa has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Peoria has a 51% lower rate.
Note: Mesa is 2.6x 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
Peoria — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mesa, AZ
Peoria, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Mesa | Peoria | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,947.9 | 1,463.3 | +484.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 483.3 | 258.1 | +225.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 1.5 | +1.2 |
| Rape Rate | 44.2 | 43.3 | +0.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.2 | 24.4 | +25.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 385.5 | 185.5 | +200.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,464.6 | 1,205.1 | +259.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.7 | 150.7 | +37.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,078.5 | 906.7 | +171.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.4 | 147.7 | +50.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mesa or Peoria safer?
Peoria is safer with a total crime rate of 1,463 per 100K vs 1,948 for Mesa — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Mesa has a violent crime rate of 483.3 per 100K while Peoria has 258.1. Peoria 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 Peoria, AZ
Peoria, Arizona, a Phoenix suburb incorporated in 1954, spans both Maricopa and Yavapai counties. This growing city in the Sonoran Desert is home to Lake Pleasant Regional Park, a popular recreation spot. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 201,056, Peoria has a total crime rate of 1,463.3 per 100,000 residents.