Is Austin or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than Austin (Safety Score 55/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,550 per 100,000 versus 3,709 for Austin — 58% lower. Austin has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Salem has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Austin is 38.1x 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, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,709.4 | 1,550.3 | +2,159.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 467.5 | 38.7 | +428.8 |
| Murder Rate | 6.6 | 7.7 | -1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 67.6 | 15.5 | +52.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.4 | 0.0 | +85.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 15.5 | +291.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,241.9 | 1,511.6 | +1,730.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 445.2 | 81.2 | +364.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,198.1 | 1,279.7 | +918.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 598.6 | 150.8 | +447.8 |
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 1,550 per 100K vs 3,709 for Austin — a 58% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 467.5 per 100K while Salem has 38.7. 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, VA
Salem, VA, nestled in the Roanoke Valley, is a city with roots tracing back to the 1800s as a railroad town. Home to Roanoke College, it boasts a population of around 25,000 residents. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 25,866, Salem has a total crime rate of 1,550.3 per 100,000 residents.