Is Albany or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Albany is safer than Salem (Safety Score 39/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,029 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 39% lower. Albany has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Albany has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 3.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Albany — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Albany, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Albany | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,028.7 | 3,337.7 | -1,309.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 197.6 | 534.5 | -336.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.5 | -4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 38.5 | 37.1 | +1.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 36.7 | 88.8 | -52.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 120.7 | 401.8 | -281.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,831.1 | 2,803.3 | -972.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 164.4 | 442.3 | -277.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.8 | 1,965.9 | -383.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.0 | 395.1 | -311.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albany or Salem safer?
Albany is safer with a total crime rate of 2,029 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Albany has a violent crime rate of 197.6 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Albany has lower violent crime.
About Albany, OR
Albany, Oregon, platted in 1849, is the county seat of Linn County, nestled in the Willamette Valley. This city, home to a significant proportion of residents identifying as Christian, is bisected by the Calapooia River. With a safety score of 39/100 and a population coverage of 57,179, Albany has a total crime rate of 2,028.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Salem, OR
Salem, Oregon, the state capital, is bisected by the Willamette River. It's home to Willamette University, the oldest university in the Western United States, and boasts a population of over 180,000 residents. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 177,936, Salem has a total crime rate of 3,337.7 per 100,000 residents.