Is Houston or Vernal Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Vernal is safer than Houston (Safety Score 15/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,322 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 39% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Vernal has a 93% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 216.4x 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
Vernal — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Vernal, UT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Vernal | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 3,321.5 | +2,120.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 279.9 | +868.4 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 9.3 | +4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 74.6 | -1.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 18.7 | +255.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 177.3 | +610.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 3,041.6 | +1,251.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 186.6 | +458.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 2,687.1 | +258.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 167.9 | +535.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Vernal safer?
Vernal is safer with a total crime rate of 3,322 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Vernal has 279.9. Vernal 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 Vernal, UT
Vernal, "Dinosaurland," is a remote city in northeastern Utah, serving as a gateway to Dinosaur National Monument. Its economy is historically tied to natural resource extraction. The population is predominantly White, with a significant rural presence. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 10,718, Vernal has a total crime rate of 3,321.5 per 100,000 residents.