Is Bend or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bend is safer than Salem (Safety Score 55/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 1,530 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 54% lower. Bend has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bend has a 75% lower rate.
Bend — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bend, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bend | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,530.5 | 3,337.7 | -1,807.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 168.5 | 534.5 | -366.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 4.5 | -1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 22.6 | 37.1 | -14.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 22.6 | 88.8 | -66.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 120.5 | 401.8 | -281.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,362.0 | 2,803.3 | -1,441.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 129.0 | 442.3 | -313.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,150.2 | 1,965.9 | -815.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 82.8 | 395.1 | -312.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bend or Salem safer?
Bend is safer with a total crime rate of 1,530 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bend has a violent crime rate of 168.5 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Bend has lower violent crime.
About Bend, OR
Nestled on the Deschutes River, Bend, Oregon, was historically a logging town and is now a popular outdoor recreation destination. Its population of over 100,000 residents enjoys proximity to the Cascade Mountains and high desert. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 106,241, Bend has a total crime rate of 1,530.5 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.