Is Austin or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than Austin (Safety Score 15/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,338 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 10% lower. Austin has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Salem has a 32% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 5.5x 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, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 3,337.7 | +371.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 534.5 | -67.0 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 4.5 | +2.1 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 37.1 | +30.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 88.8 | -3.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 401.8 | -94.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 2,803.3 | +438.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 442.3 | +2.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,965.9 | +232.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 395.1 | +203.5 |
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 3,338 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Austin 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, 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.