12 Most Dangerous Cities in Utah
- Salt Lake City
- Murray
- Riverdale
- West Valley City
- Ogden
- Tooele
- South Salt Lake
- Moab
- Woods Cross
- Logan
- West Jordan
- Cedar City
1. Salt Lake City
The most dangerous city in Utah is Salt Lake City. It's also the capital and the largest city in Utah. While Salt Lake City is better known for its mountain view than its crime, the city still has a crime rate that is 218% above the national average. The most common types of crime in Salt Lake City are robbery, assault, burglary, and theft. There were thirteen murders committed in Salt Lake City during the 2022 year. Much of the crime in Salt Lake City relates to drug trafficking and addiction in the surrounding area.
2. Murray
Murray is another one of the worst cities in Utah due to its high crime rate. Murray is situated near Salt Lake City and is known for its proximity to hiking spots. The city has a population of 50,637 and a crime rate that is 133% above the national average. Property crime accounts for the vast majority of crime in Murray. The most common types of crime include larceny, car theft, burglary, and drug incidents. There was one murder and thirty-three robberies committed in Murray during the 2023 year.
3. Riverdale
Riverdale is another one of the most dangerous cities in Utah. It’s a city within the Ogden-Clearfield metropolitan area in southern Weber County, situated about 30 miles north of Salt Lake City. It’s a small suburb with a population of 9,410 residents known for attractions like Riverdale Park and Hill Aerospace Museum. Although not a particularly violent area, Riverdale experiences a high rate of property crime. The total crime rate in Riverdale is 5,028 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 116% higher than the national average and 135% higher than the rest of Utah. The property crime rate is extremely high at 141% higher than the rest of the US, and your odds of being the victim of a crime in Riverdale are 1 in 20.
4. West Valley City
West Valley City is part of the greater Salt Lake City area and the second most populous city in Utah. With a population of 140,230, West Valley City has a crime rate that is 42% above the national average. Property crime is common, with car thefts, burglaries, and larceny being common. In 2023, there were eight murders, 97 robberies, and 422 assaults recorded in West Valley City. Residents have an overall 1 in 31 chance of becoming the victim of a crime.
5. Ogden
Ogden is a dangerous city in Weber County and is located 40 miles north of Salt Lake City. The city has a population of 87,321 and a crime rate that is 33% above the national average. The violent crime rate in Ogden is high, with the city having three murders, forty-four robberies, and 337 assaults recorded during 2023. Other types of crime include 272 burglaries and 271 counts of vehicle theft. Residents have an overall 1 in 33 chance of becoming the victim of a crime. Ogden is also one of the cheapest cities in Utah.
6. Tooele
Tooele is another one of the most dangerous cities in Utah. Tooele is located in Tooele County, just 30 minutes southwest of Salt Lake City. With a population of 35,742, Tooele has a violent crime rate that is 25% above the national average. Out of 869 criminal incidents, Tooele had three murders, twelve robberies, 124 assaults, and 98 burglaries. Residents have a 1 in 45 chance of becoming the victim of a crime in Tooele.
7. South Salt Lake
South Salt Lake is a part of the greater Salt Lake City area and is often cited as being the most dangerous part of Utah. With a population of 23,617, South Salt Lake has a crime rate that is 21% above the national average. Drug trafficking and addiction are common in the area, which contributes to the city's high property crime rate. The most common types of crime include home and vehicle theft, larceny, and assault.
8. Moab
Moab is also one of the worst cities in Utah. Situated in eastern Utah, Moab is the largest city in Grand County with a population of 5,366 residents. It’s known for its gorgeous scenery and close proximity to outdoor attractions like Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, which attract hundreds of tourists every year. However, despite its scenic beauty, Moab suffers from a high rate of crime. The total crime rate is 2,755 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 19% higher than the national average. The violent crime rate is 741 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 100% higher than the rest of the country and 206% higher than the rest of Utah. You have a 1 in 37 chance of being the victim of a crime in Moab.
9. Woods Cross
Woods Cross is a small city in Davis County in northern Utah. There was a total of 226 criminal incidents during 2022, with two robberies, thirteen assaults, twenty-one burglaries, and forty-four counts of vehicle theft. Residents have a 1 in 53 chance of becoming the victim of a crime, while the crime rate has risen by at least 14% since 2022.
10. Logan
Logan is a city in northern Utah that is home to the main campus of Utah State University. Logan had a total of 816 criminal incidents during 2022, including two robberies, fifty-eight assaults, and 588 counts of theft. Residents in Logan have a 1 in 69 chance of becoming the victim of a crime. The average income in Logan is 35% below the national average, with employment options being scarce.
11. West Jordan
West Jordan is the third most populous city in Utah and is located outside of Salt Lake City. With a population of 116,961, West Jordan has a crime rate that is 7% above the national average. Common types of crime include assault, robbery, burglary, and theft. There were five murders in West Jordan during the 2023 year. Residents in West Jordan have a 1 in 43 chance of becoming the victim of a crime.
12. Cedar City
Cedar City is the largest city in Iron County in southern Utah. While Cedar City's crime rate isn't above the national average, much of the area struggles with poverty and unemployment. The average income in Cedar City is 28% below the national average, with employment being scarce. Drug addiction is common in the area, which contributes to incidents of theft and burglary.