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D

Is Mesa, Arizona Safe?

Population 513,656 · Safer than 20% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate above the national average, Mesa faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 80% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,494 per 100K.

Mesa Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricMesaArizona AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate459.9326.7363.8
Property Crime Rate2106.92049.51,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate291.0--268.2
Theft Rate1494.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate227.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD

256.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD-

460/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2107/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Mesa

Violent crime in Mesa is above the national average. The rate of 459.9 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2106.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,494 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Mesa Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault291
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery60
095% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary287
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,494
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft227
071% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Mesa Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Mesa
459.9
State
326.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Mesa
2106.9
State
2049.5
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mesa Safety

Is Mesa safe?
Not especially. Mesa earns a D with a crime rate of 256.7 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Mesa?
256.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 459.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2106.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Mesa safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Mesa's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,494 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Mesa?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Mesa generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Mesa police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Mesa?
Crime rates have held steady in Mesa, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D grade.
How does Mesa compare to other cities in Arizona?
Below average for the state. Mesa ranks behind about 80% of Arizona cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Mesa to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Mesa?
Bad. A D grade and 256.7 per-thousand rate put Mesa below 80% of US cities. Violent crime at 460 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Mesa?
459.9 per 100,000, which is 26% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (291), robbery (60), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Arizona

Similar-sized communities in Arizona. Compare crime rates across the state.

C-
See crime rates in Tucson548,371 pop · Grade C-
D
See crime rates in Gilbert287,285 pop · Grade D
D+
See crime rates in Chandler278,748 pop · Grade D+
D
See crime rates in Glendale260,572 pop · Grade D
C
See crime rates in Scottsdale243,006 pop · Grade C
C-
See crime rates in Peoria200,881 pop · Grade C-
View all Arizona city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Mesa

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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