Is Mesa or Sierra Vista Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sierra Vista is safer than Mesa (Safety Score 44/100 vs 42/100), with a total crime rate of 1,884 per 100,000 versus 1,948 for Mesa — 3% lower. Mesa has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Sierra Vista has a 55% lower rate.
Note: Mesa is 11.6x 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
Sierra Vista — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mesa, AZ
Sierra Vista, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Mesa | Sierra Vista | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,947.9 | 1,883.5 | +64.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 483.3 | 219.9 | +263.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 2.3 | +0.5 |
| Rape Rate | 44.2 | 20.4 | +23.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.2 | 24.9 | +25.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 385.5 | 170.0 | +215.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,464.6 | 1,663.7 | -199.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.7 | 165.5 | +22.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,078.5 | 1,418.9 | -340.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.4 | 79.3 | +119.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mesa or Sierra Vista safer?
Sierra Vista is safer with a total crime rate of 1,884 per 100K vs 1,948 for Mesa — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Mesa has a violent crime rate of 483.3 per 100K while Sierra Vista has 219.9. Sierra Vista 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 Sierra Vista, AZ
Sierra Vista, Arizona, founded as a military post, is home to Fort Huachuca, a U.S. Army installation. This city in Cochise County sits at an elevation of over 4,600 feet, making it cooler than other Arizona cities. With a safety score of 44/100 and a population coverage of 44,119, Sierra Vista has a total crime rate of 1,883.5 per 100,000 residents.