Moving from Mesa, AZ to San Diego, CA?
An out-of-state move adds a new driver's license, plates, voter registration and state-specific deadlines. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Mesa or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Mesa is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 42/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,948 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 6% lower. Mesa has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Mesa has a 35% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 2.7x 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
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mesa, AZ
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Mesa | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,947.9 | 2,082.4 | -134.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 483.3 | 412.4 | +70.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 2.5 | +0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 44.2 | 21.4 | +22.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.2 | 77.4 | -27.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 385.5 | 310.9 | +74.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,464.6 | 1,670.0 | -205.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.7 | 187.4 | +0.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,078.5 | 1,087.1 | -8.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.4 | 395.5 | -197.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Mesa, AZ to San Diego, CA?
An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mesa or San Diego safer?
Mesa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,948 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Mesa has a violent crime rate of 483.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego 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 San Diego, CA
San Diego, California, a major port city with a significant Hispanic population, sits on the Pacific Ocean just north of the Mexican border. Known for its mild climate and Balboa Park, it's also home to a large naval presence. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 1,389,024, San Diego has a total crime rate of 2,082.4 per 100,000 residents.