10 Most Dangerous Cities in Utah (2025 Updated List)

Have you ever wondered which parts of Utah see the most sirens and flashing lights? Utah is famous for clean mountain air, family towns, and outdoor fun, yet some pockets fight higher crime every day.

In this guide, we zoom in on the most dangerous cities in Utah and explain why South Salt Lake now ranks as the worst city in Utah for crime. Read on for city-by-city numbers, clear trends, and street-smart tips that keep you and your loved ones safe.

What City in Utah Has the Highest Crime Rate?

South Salt Lake tops the 2025 list. FBI data for 2023 (released October 2024) show a total crime rate of 62.4 incidents per 1,000 residents, with 8.9 violent crimes and 53.5 property crimes per 1,000. The odds of becoming a victim there sit at 1 in 16—the highest risk anywhere in the state.

10 Most Dangerous Cities in Utah

Utah’s crime hot spots cluster along the Wasatch Front, but a few outliers appear in tourist hubs and small rural centers. Below are the ten dangerous cities in Utah we tracked for 2025, listed from highest to lowest overall crime rate.

1. South Salt Lake

Crime strikes here more than anywhere else in Utah. Residents face 8.9 violent crimes per 1,000—mostly aggravated assaults and robberies—and 53.5 property crimes per 1,000, led by car theft and break-ins. City police logged 233 violent events and 1,397 property offenses in 2023. Car thieves especially like older Hondas and new pickups. If you live here, lock doors, install a steering-wheel bar, and park under bright light.

2. Salt Lake City

As the capital grows, crime remains stubborn. The city sees 8.7 violent crimes and 58.6 property crimes per 1,000. That equals a 1 in 17 chance of theft and a 1 in 115 chance of violent harm. Officers counted 1,826 violent cases—many involving weapons—and over 12,000 thefts, with catalytic-converter theft still booming.

3. Murray

Murray’s mid-size streets log 3.0 violent and 40.6 property crimes per 1,000. The total crime index sits at 4/100. Police noted 220 burglaries, 1,573 larcenies, and 218 car thefts in 2023, stressing neighborhood watch groups. Keep valuables out of sight; porch pirates trail delivery trucks in daylight.

4. Riverdale

Small but busy retail corridors lift numbers here. Riverdale posts 2.4 violent and 52.0 property crimes per 1,000, giving residents a 1 in 18 overall risk. Theft inside crowded shopping zones drives most reports, and officers flag unlocked SUVs as easy targets.

5. Ogden

Historic Ogden lists 5.7 violent and 20.8 property crimes per 1,000. Assaults and drug-linked robberies fill police blotters. In 2023, detectives handled 497 violent offenses—including seven homicides—and 1,817 property cases. Downtown bars remain patrol priorities on weekends.

6. West Valley City

Utah’s second-largest city records 4.3 violent and 22.8 property crimes per 1,000. Car theft stands out: 461 vehicles disappeared last year. Victims lose mostly Kias and Hyundais taken with USB tricks. Crime is heavier north of 3500 South; southern neighborhoods stay calmer.

7. Park City

Tourism swells crime beyond its small-town size. Park City logs 6.1 violent and 24.2 property crimes per 1,000—the state’s highest rate of reported rape (3.6 per 1,000). Festival crowds tempt pickpockets and gear thieves who raid ski lockers and luxury SUVs.

8. Moab

Moab posts 5.4 violent and 20.3 property crimes per 1,000, placing locals at 1 in 39 odds. Assault spikes after weekend bar crawls, while campers often report smash-and-grab thefts at trailheads. Police urge tourists to hide their backpacks before they hike.

9. Roosevelt

Oil-patch swings feed crime here. Roosevelt shows 4.3 violent and 20.6 property crimes per 1,000. Assault cases jumped 18 percent in 2023, with fights near late-night gas stations. Catalytic-converter theft rose, too, because truck fleets line Main Street overnight.

10. West Jordan

Suburban West Jordan ends the list with 2.1 violent and 14.1 property crimes per 1,000. That is still above the state average. Theft (9.6 per 1,000) hits busy shopping strips, and officers track rising identity-fraud reports tied to online marketplace scams.

How We Determine the Most Dangerous City in Utah?

Crime numbers alone do not tell the whole story, but they set a clear baseline. These factors combine into a simple index: higher violent weight, then property, then growth trend. We looked at:

• FBI UCR 2025 data: We use the most recent statewide set for consistency.
• Violent-crime rate per 1,000 residents: Assault, rape, robbery, and homicide weigh the most.
• Property-crime rate per 1,000: Burglary, theft, car theft, and arson show economic damage.
• Population size: We include any city with 5,000+ residents or heavy tourist traffic.
• Year-over-year trend: A sharp rise (10 % or more) flags extra risk even if raw numbers stay modest.
• Motor-vehicle theft share: Utah’s car-theft wave distorts property figures, so we track it separately.

Crime Trends in Utah’s Most Dangerous Cities

Crime patterns share common roots across these hot spots:

• Auto Theft Surge: Salt Lake County and Weber County officers report organized rings targeting easy-to-start Kias, Hyundais, and older Hondas.
• Retail Theft: Riverdale, Murray, and West Valley malls draw shoplifters who resell through social media.
• Catalytic-Converter Theft: Trucks and SUVs in Ogden, Roosevelt, and Moab lose converters for precious metals.
• Assault in Nightlife Zones: Downtown Salt Lake City, Park City’s Main Street, and Ogden’s 25th Street see bar-time fights from midnight to 2 a.m.
• Seasonal Swings: Tourist towns (Park City, Moab) spike during festivals, spring break, and summer hiking season.

Installing a security camera can be a good way to ensure your property safety.

How to Stay Safe in the Worst Cities in Utah?

The next step is learning simple habits that shrink your odds of becoming a victim when you live in or visit Utah’s high‑risk areas. The tips below show practical steps you can start today to move through even the worst cities in Utah with greater confidence.

• Lock Up—Always: Lock your car, close garage doors, and use deadbolts, even during quick errands.
• Hide Valuables From View: Leave nothing visible in parked cars; thieves peek through windows first.
• Use Well-Lit Parking: South Salt Lake, Ogden, and Murray lots with cameras deter car prowls.
• Stay Aware After Dark: Travel in groups near bars and trailheads. Keep phones handy but watch surroundings, not screens.
• Install Simple Tech: Steering-wheel bars, doorbell cameras, and GPS trackers cost less than one insurance deductible.
• Report Suspicious Activity: Local departments rely on quick tips to catch catalytic-converter crews.
• Check Local Crime Maps: West Valley, Park City, and West Jordan share live maps that flag new incidents each day.

FAQs

Which city in Utah has the most crime?

The city in Utah with the most crime is Salt Lake City. It consistently reports the highest number of both violent and property crimes in the state. Common issues include theft, burglary, aggravated assault, and motor vehicle theft.

What is the safest city in Utah?

According to 2023 FBI numbers, cities like Highland, Spanish Fork, and Saratoga Springs post violent-crime rates below 1 per 1,000, making them Utah’s safest midsize communities.

Where should I avoid in Salt Lake City?

Avoid parking overnight in the North Temple industrial zone and the Poplar Grove-Glendale corridor, where car theft and burglary cluster. Downtown bar blocks (200 South) need extra caution after midnight.

What is the best city in Utah to live in?

Many families choose St. George for warm weather, or Lehi for tech jobs. Both post low violent-crime rates and strong job growth.

Conclusion

Utah stays safer than many states, yet pockets of high crime remain. South Salt Lake retains the title of worst city in Utah for 2025, while Salt Lake City, Murray, and Riverdale struggle with theft waves and rising assaults. Watching the numbers helps, but smart habits—locking doors, parking in light, and staying alert—cut risk far more.

Do you live near one of these hot spots, or do you avoid them? Share your experience and safety tips below, and help others navigate the most dangerous cities in Utah.