Is Vernal or West Valley City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, West Valley City is safer than Vernal (Safety Score 33/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,312 per 100,000 versus 3,322 for Vernal — 30% lower. Vernal has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Vernal has a 72% lower rate.
Note: West Valley City is 12.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Vernal — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
West Valley City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Vernal, UT
West Valley City, UT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Vernal | West Valley City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,321.5 | 2,312.2 | +1,009.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 279.9 | 470.3 | -190.4 |
| Murder Rate | 9.3 | 6.8 | +2.6 |
| Rape Rate | 74.6 | 73.9 | +0.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 18.7 | 66.3 | -47.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 177.3 | 322.6 | -145.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,041.6 | 1,841.9 | +1,199.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 186.6 | 196.0 | -9.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,687.1 | 1,407.1 | +1,280.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 167.9 | 238.9 | -71.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vernal or West Valley City safer?
West Valley City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,312 per 100K vs 3,322 for Vernal — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Vernal has a violent crime rate of 279.9 per 100K while West Valley City has 470.3. Vernal has lower violent crime.
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.
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.