Is Ashland or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ashland is safer than Salem (Safety Score 40/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,019 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 40% lower. Ashland has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ashland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 8.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ashland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ashland, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ashland | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,019.2 | 3,337.7 | -1,318.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 253.0 | 534.5 | -281.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.5 | -4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 9.6 | 37.1 | -27.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 47.7 | 88.8 | -41.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 195.7 | 401.8 | -206.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,766.2 | 2,803.3 | -1,037.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 205.3 | 442.3 | -237.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,475.0 | 1,965.9 | -490.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 85.9 | 395.1 | -309.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashland or Salem safer?
Ashland is safer with a total crime rate of 2,019 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ashland has a violent crime rate of 253.0 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Ashland has lower violent crime.
About Ashland, OR
Nestled in Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley, Ashland is home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. This city of roughly 21,000 residents is known for its vibrant arts scene and proximity to the Siskiyou Mountains. With a safety score of 40/100 and a population coverage of 20,949, Ashland has a total crime rate of 2,019.2 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.