Is Houston or South Salt Lake Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Houston is safer than South Salt Lake (Safety Score 3/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 5,442 per 100,000 versus 6,641 for South Salt Lake — 18% lower. Houston has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where South Salt Lake has a 45% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 89.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
South Salt Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
South Salt Lake, UT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | South Salt Lake | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 6,641.0 | -1,199.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 767.5 | +380.8 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 7.7 | +6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 158.1 | -85.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 150.4 | +123.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 451.2 | +336.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 5,873.5 | -1,580.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 620.9 | +23.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 4,666.4 | -1,720.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 586.2 | +116.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or South Salt Lake safer?
Houston is safer with a total crime rate of 5,442 per 100K vs 6,641 for South Salt Lake — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while South Salt Lake has 767.5. South Salt Lake has lower violent crime.
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.
About South Salt Lake, UT
South Salt Lake, nestled between I-15 and I-80, is a diverse urban area with a significant Hispanic population. Once a farming community, it retains a blue-collar character with many industrial businesses. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 25,930, South Salt Lake has a total crime rate of 6,641.0 per 100,000 residents.