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Denver vs Salt Lake City: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Denver has a crime rate of 43.5 per 1,000 residents vs Salt Lake City's 24 per 1,000, making Salt Lake City 45% safer overall. Salt Lake City earns a C+ safety grade compared to Denver's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

F

Denver

Colorado

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate43.5/1K
Percentile9%
C+

Salt Lake City

Utah

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate24/1K
Percentile47%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricDenverSalt Lake City
Overall Crime Rate43.5/1K24/1K
Violent Crime Rate550.0440.5
Property Crime Rate3800.01964.4
Murder Rate8.65.9
Assault Rate429.0345.2
Robbery Rate99.882.8
Burglary Rate593.2308.6
Theft Rate3293.71780.4
Vehicle Theft Rate888.1437.9

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Denver is safer in 0 and Salt Lake City is safer in 9.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Denver, you have a 1 in 23 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 42 in Salt Lake City.

Full Safety Reports

F
Denver, Colorado Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Salt Lake City, Utah Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Denver vs Salt Lake City

Denver Climate Overview

Annual High65.3°F
Annual Low36.1°F
Annual Rain15.5"
Annual Snow43.0"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthNovember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Salt Lake City Climate Overview

Annual High64.3°F
Annual Low42.3°F
Annual Rain16.9"
Annual Snow54.3"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

DenverSalt Lake CityHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°100°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Salt Lake City is 3°F warmer in summer than Denver, but Denver is 6°F colder in winter than Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City gets significantly more snow (54" vs 43").

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Denver safer than Salt Lake City?
As of 2026, Salt Lake City is 45% safer overall, with a crime rate of 24 per 1,000 residents compared to Denver's 43.5. Salt Lake City earns a C+ safety grade vs Denver's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Denver or Salt Lake City?
Denver has more violent crime at 550 per 100,000 residents. Salt Lake City is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Denver vs Salt Lake City?
Denver has a crime rate of 43.5 per 1,000 (violent: 550/100K, property: 3800/100K). Salt Lake City has 24 per 1,000 (violent: 441/100K, property: 1964/100K).
Should I move to Denver or Salt Lake City?
From a safety perspective, Salt Lake City has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Denver (pop. 740,613) and Salt Lake City (pop. 218,428) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Salt Lake City's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Denver and Salt Lake City compare for property crime?
Salt Lake City has lower property crime at 1964 per 100K vs Denver's 3800. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Denver vs AustinDenver vs PortlandDenver vs Seattle

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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