Is Coos Bay or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than Coos Bay (Safety Score 15/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 3,338 per 100,000 versus 5,094 for Coos Bay — 34% lower. Coos Bay has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Coos Bay has a 42% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 11.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Coos Bay — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Coos Bay, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Coos Bay | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,094.1 | 3,337.7 | +1,756.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 633.5 | 534.5 | +99.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.5 | 4.5 | +2.0 |
| Rape Rate | 58.2 | 37.1 | +21.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 51.7 | 88.8 | -37.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 510.7 | 401.8 | +108.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,460.5 | 2,803.3 | +1,657.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 950.3 | 442.3 | +508.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,109.4 | 1,965.9 | +1,143.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 400.8 | 395.1 | +5.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coos Bay or Salem safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 3,338 per 100K vs 5,094 for Coos Bay — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Coos Bay has a violent crime rate of 633.5 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Salem has lower violent crime.
About Coos Bay, OR
Coos Bay, Oregon, a port city on the state's southern coast, was once a major lumber producer. It is the largest city on the Oregon Coast, serving as a regional hub for its approximately 16,000 residents. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 15,469, Coos Bay has a total crime rate of 5,094.1 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.