Is Baker City or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Baker City is safer than Salem (Safety Score 86/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 673 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 80% lower. Baker City has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Baker City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 17.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Baker City — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Baker City, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Baker City | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 672.8 | 3,337.7 | -2,664.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 29.3 | 534.5 | -505.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.5 | -4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 37.1 | -37.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 88.8 | -88.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 29.3 | 401.8 | -372.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 643.6 | 2,803.3 | -2,159.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 117.0 | 442.3 | -325.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 487.6 | 1,965.9 | -1,478.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 39.0 | 395.1 | -356.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baker City or Salem safer?
Baker City is safer with a total crime rate of 673 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 80% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Baker City has a violent crime rate of 29.3 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Baker City has lower violent crime.
About Baker City, OR
Nestled in the Elkhorn Mountains, Baker City was once a bustling gold mining hub. This small Eastern Oregon city, with a population under 10,000, boasts a beautifully preserved historic downtown. With a safety score of 86/100 and a population coverage of 10,255, Baker City has a total crime rate of 672.8 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.