Is Cottonwood Heights or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cottonwood Heights is safer than Houston (Safety Score 49/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,702 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 69% lower. Cottonwood Heights has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Cottonwood Heights has a 92% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 73.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cottonwood Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cottonwood Heights, UT
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cottonwood Heights | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,702.4 | 5,441.7 | -3,739.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 88.1 | 1,148.3 | -1,060.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 13.8 | -10.7 |
| Rape Rate | 18.9 | 73.0 | -54.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 28.3 | 274.0 | -245.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 37.8 | 787.4 | -749.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,614.3 | 4,293.5 | -2,679.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 125.9 | 644.8 | -518.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,362.6 | 2,945.7 | -1,583.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 125.9 | 703.0 | -577.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cottonwood Heights or Houston safer?
Cottonwood Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 1,702 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cottonwood Heights has a violent crime rate of 88.1 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Cottonwood Heights has lower violent crime.
About Cottonwood Heights, UT
Cottonwood Heights, nestled against the Wasatch Range foothills, was incorporated in 2005, reflecting its primarily residential character. This affluent Salt Lake County suburb features a significant proportion of residents with higher education degrees. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 31,778, Cottonwood Heights has a total crime rate of 1,702.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Houston, TX
Houston, the "Space City," is a sprawling metropolis in Southeast Texas, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Its diverse population makes it one of the most multicultural cities in the U.S., with significant Hispanic and Asian communities. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 2,319,160, Houston has a total crime rate of 5,441.7 per 100,000 residents.