Is Payson or West Valley City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Payson is safer than West Valley City (Safety Score 80/100 vs 33/100), with a total crime rate of 826 per 100,000 versus 2,312 for West Valley City — 64% lower. Payson has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Payson has a 100% lower rate.
Note: West Valley City is 5.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Payson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
West Valley City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Payson, UT
West Valley City, UT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Payson | West Valley City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 826.3 | 2,312.2 | -1,485.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 127.7 | 470.3 | -342.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 6.8 | -6.8 |
| Rape Rate | 55.9 | 73.9 | -18.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 66.3 | -66.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 71.9 | 322.6 | -250.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 698.6 | 1,841.9 | -1,143.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 51.9 | 196.0 | -144.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 606.8 | 1,407.1 | -800.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 39.9 | 238.9 | -199.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Payson or West Valley City safer?
Payson is safer with a total crime rate of 826 per 100K vs 2,312 for West Valley City — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Payson has a violent crime rate of 127.7 per 100K while West Valley City has 470.3. Payson has lower violent crime.
About Payson, UT
Payson, Utah, nestled at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, is a historic agricultural community. Founded by Mormon pioneers, it's home to a diverse population, with a significant portion identifying as Latter-day Saints. With a safety score of 80/100 and a population coverage of 25,051, Payson has a total crime rate of 826.3 per 100,000 residents.
About West Valley City, UT
West Valley City, Utah, a diverse suburb west of Salt Lake City, was incorporated in 1980 by merging four communities. It's home to a large Polynesian population and features the Maverik Center, a prominent entertainment venue. With a safety score of 33/100 and a population coverage of 132,686, West Valley City has a total crime rate of 2,312.2 per 100,000 residents.