Is Cottonwood Heights or Salt Lake City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cottonwood Heights is safer than Salt Lake City (Safety Score 49/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 1,702 per 100,000 versus 6,064 for Salt Lake City — 72% lower. Cottonwood Heights has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Cottonwood Heights has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Salt Lake City is 6.7x 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
Salt Lake City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cottonwood Heights, UT
Salt Lake City, UT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cottonwood Heights | Salt Lake City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,702.4 | 6,064.2 | -4,361.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 88.1 | 864.2 | -776.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 5.2 | -2.0 |
| Rape Rate | 18.9 | 158.5 | -139.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 28.3 | 183.4 | -155.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 37.8 | 517.2 | -479.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,614.3 | 5,200.0 | -3,585.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 125.9 | 551.1 | -425.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,362.6 | 4,184.8 | -2,822.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 125.9 | 464.1 | -338.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cottonwood Heights or Salt Lake City safer?
Cottonwood Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 1,702 per 100K vs 6,064 for Salt Lake City — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cottonwood Heights has a violent crime rate of 88.1 per 100K while Salt Lake City has 864.2. 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 Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City, founded by Brigham Young, serves as the global headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nestled against the Wasatch Mountains, it is Utah's most populous city with a diverse and growing tech industry. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 212,675, Salt Lake City has a total crime rate of 6,064.2 per 100,000 residents.