Is Mesa or Show Low Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Mesa is safer than Show Low (Safety Score 42/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,948 per 100,000 versus 3,006 for Show Low — 35% lower. Mesa has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Mesa has a 83% lower rate.
Note: Mesa is 41.6x 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
Show Low — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mesa, AZ
Show Low, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Mesa | Show Low | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,947.9 | 3,006.2 | -1,058.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 483.3 | 745.5 | -262.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 16.2 | -13.5 |
| Rape Rate | 44.2 | 32.4 | +11.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.2 | 24.3 | +25.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 385.5 | 664.5 | -278.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,464.6 | 2,260.8 | -796.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.7 | 170.2 | +17.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,078.5 | 1,896.1 | -817.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.4 | 194.5 | +3.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mesa or Show Low safer?
Mesa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,948 per 100K vs 3,006 for Show Low — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Mesa has a violent crime rate of 483.3 per 100K while Show Low has 745.5. Mesa 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 Show Low, AZ
Show Low, Arizona, named for a card game, sits in the White Mountains. This town of roughly 12,000 residents is a regional hub for the Apache County area. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 12,341, Show Low has a total crime rate of 3,006.2 per 100,000 residents.