Is Mesa or Prescott Valley Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Prescott Valley is safer than Mesa (Safety Score 74/100 vs 42/100), with a total crime rate of 996 per 100,000 versus 1,948 for Mesa — 49% lower. Mesa has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Prescott Valley has a 88% lower rate.
Note: Mesa is 10.0x 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
Prescott Valley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mesa, AZ
Prescott Valley, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Mesa | Prescott Valley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,947.9 | 995.8 | +952.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 483.3 | 226.9 | +256.3 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 3.9 | -1.2 |
| Rape Rate | 44.2 | 45.0 | -0.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.2 | 5.9 | +44.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 385.5 | 170.2 | +215.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,464.6 | 768.8 | +695.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.7 | 45.0 | +142.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,078.5 | 667.1 | +411.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.4 | 56.7 | +141.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mesa or Prescott Valley safer?
Prescott Valley is safer with a total crime rate of 996 per 100K vs 1,948 for Mesa — a 49% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Mesa has a violent crime rate of 483.3 per 100K while Prescott Valley has 226.9. Prescott 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 Prescott Valley, AZ
Prescott Valley, Arizona, a rapidly growing town north of Prescott, sits in the Bradshaw Mountains' foothills. Established in 1961 as a master-planned community, it's now home to a diverse population, many commuting to nearby cities. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 51,116, Prescott Valley has a total crime rate of 995.8 per 100,000 residents.