Is Austin or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than Austin (Safety Score 38/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,074 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 44% lower. Austin has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Salem has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 30.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Austin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, TX
Salem, NH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 2,074.3 | +1,635.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 106.4 | +361.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 3.1 | +3.5 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 25.0 | +42.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 46.9 | +38.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 31.3 | +275.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,968.0 | +1,273.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 62.6 | +382.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,820.9 | +377.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 84.5 | +514.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Salem safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 2,074 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 44% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Salem has 106.4. Salem has lower violent crime.
About Austin, TX
Austin, the "Live Music Capital of the World," is a rapidly growing city in Central Texas. Situated on the Colorado River, it's the state capital and home to a diverse population, including many young professionals drawn to its tech industry. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 984,613, Austin has a total crime rate of 3,709.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Salem, NH
Salem, NH, once home to America's first continuously operated amusement park, is a southern New Hampshire town bordering Massachusetts. Its population is primarily white and has grown steadily over the past few decades. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 31,962, Salem has a total crime rate of 2,074.3 per 100,000 residents.