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Mesa vs Scottsdale: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Mesa has a crime rate of 23.6 per 1,000 residents vs Scottsdale's 20.2 per 1,000, making Scottsdale 14% safer overall. Scottsdale earns a B- safety grade compared to Mesa's C+. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

C+

Mesa

Arizona

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.6/1K
Percentile49%
B-

Scottsdale

Arizona

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeB+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate20.2/1K
Percentile57%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricMesaScottsdale
Overall Crime Rate23.6/1K20.2/1K
Violent Crime Rate480.0120.0
Property Crime Rate1876.31900.0
Murder Rate6.51.8
Assault Rate319.499.5
Robbery Rate55.017.2
Burglary Rate251.3326.4
Theft Rate1356.91416.3
Vehicle Theft Rate206.5374.3

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Mesa is safer in 4 and Scottsdale is safer in 5.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Mesa, you have a 1 in 42 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 50 in Scottsdale.

Full Safety Reports

C+
Mesa, Arizona Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
B-
Scottsdale, Arizona Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mesa safer than Scottsdale?
As of 2026, Scottsdale is 14% safer overall, with a crime rate of 20.2 per 1,000 residents compared to Mesa's 23.6. Scottsdale earns a B- safety grade vs Mesa's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Mesa or Scottsdale?
Mesa has more violent crime at 480 per 100,000 residents. Scottsdale is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Mesa vs Scottsdale?
Mesa has a crime rate of 23.6 per 1,000 (violent: 480/100K, property: 1876/100K). Scottsdale has 20.2 per 1,000 (violent: 120/100K, property: 1900/100K).
Should I move to Mesa or Scottsdale?
From a safety perspective, Scottsdale has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Mesa (pop. 513,656) and Scottsdale (pop. 243,006) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Scottsdale's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Mesa and Scottsdale compare for property crime?
Mesa has lower property crime at 1876 per 100K vs Scottsdale's 1900. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Mesa vs TucsonMesa vs GilbertMesa vs ChandlerScottsdale vs IrvineScottsdale vs Tucson

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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