Is Mesa or Tucson Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Mesa is safer than Tucson (Safety Score 42/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 1,948 per 100,000 versus 3,903 for Tucson — 50% lower. Mesa has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Mesa has a 59% lower rate.
Mesa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tucson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mesa, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Mesa | Tucson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,947.9 | 3,902.8 | -1,954.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 483.3 | 589.7 | -106.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 6.7 | -4.0 |
| Rape Rate | 44.2 | 47.7 | -3.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.2 | 108.1 | -57.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 385.5 | 426.2 | -40.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,464.6 | 3,313.1 | -1,848.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.7 | 296.8 | -109.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,078.5 | 2,500.6 | -1,422.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.4 | 515.7 | -317.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mesa or Tucson safer?
Mesa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,948 per 100K vs 3,903 for Tucson — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Mesa has a violent crime rate of 483.3 per 100K while Tucson has 589.7. 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 Tucson, AZ
Tucson, a Sonoran Desert city in southern Arizona, is known for its vibrant Mexican-American heritage and the University of Arizona. Over half a million people reside here, nestled among five mountain ranges. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 548,789, Tucson has a total crime rate of 3,902.8 per 100,000 residents.