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Mesa vs Surprise: 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 Surprise's 21.2 per 1,000, making Surprise 10% safer overall. Surprise 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-

Surprise

Arizona

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeB-
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate21.2/1K
Percentile55%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricMesaSurprise
Overall Crime Rate23.6/1K21.2/1K
Violent Crime Rate480.0345.8
Property Crime Rate1876.31778.6
Murder Rate6.56.6
Assault Rate319.4287.9
Robbery Rate55.054.8
Burglary Rate251.3279.2
Theft Rate1356.91115.8
Vehicle Theft Rate206.5171.7

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 2 and Surprise is safer in 7.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Mesa, you have a 1 in 42 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 47 in Surprise.

Full Safety Reports

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mesa safer than Surprise?
As of 2026, Surprise is 10% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.2 per 1,000 residents compared to Mesa's 23.6. Surprise earns a B- safety grade vs Mesa's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Mesa or Surprise?
Mesa has more violent crime at 480 per 100,000 residents. Surprise is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Mesa vs Surprise?
Mesa has a crime rate of 23.6 per 1,000 (violent: 480/100K, property: 1876/100K). Surprise has 21.2 per 1,000 (violent: 346/100K, property: 1779/100K).
Should I move to Mesa or Surprise?
From a safety perspective, Surprise has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Mesa (pop. 513,656) and Surprise (pop. 175,304) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Surprise's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Mesa and Surprise compare for property crime?
Surprise has lower property crime at 1779 per 100K vs Mesa's 1876. 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 Chandler

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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