Is Mesa or Tempe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Mesa is safer than Tempe (Safety Score 42/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 1,948 per 100,000 versus 3,364 for Tempe — 42% lower. Mesa has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Mesa has a 49% lower rate.
Note: Mesa 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.
Mesa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tempe — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mesa, AZ
Tempe, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Mesa | Tempe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,947.9 | 3,364.1 | -1,416.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 483.3 | 470.3 | +13.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 2.6 | +0.1 |
| Rape Rate | 44.2 | 71.6 | -27.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.2 | 66.4 | -16.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 385.5 | 329.7 | +55.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,464.6 | 2,893.8 | -1,429.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.7 | 334.4 | -146.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,078.5 | 2,257.9 | -1,179.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.4 | 301.5 | -103.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mesa or Tempe safer?
Mesa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,948 per 100K vs 3,364 for Tempe — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Mesa has a violent crime rate of 483.3 per 100K while Tempe has 470.3. Tempe 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 Tempe, AZ
Tempe, Arizona, home to Arizona State University's largest campus, sits in the Valley of the Sun. This vibrant city, named for the Vale of Tempe in Greece, boasts a young, educated population drawn to its urban core and outdoor recreation along Tempe Town Lake. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 191,376, Tempe has a total crime rate of 3,364.1 per 100,000 residents.