Is Corvallis or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Corvallis is safer than Salem (Safety Score 24/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,695 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 19% lower. Corvallis has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Corvallis has a 66% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 2.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Corvallis — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Corvallis, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Corvallis | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,695.5 | 3,337.7 | -642.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 183.8 | 534.5 | -350.6 |
| Murder Rate | 1.6 | 4.5 | -2.9 |
| Rape Rate | 37.4 | 37.1 | +0.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 32.5 | 88.8 | -56.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 112.2 | 401.8 | -289.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,511.6 | 2,803.3 | -291.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.4 | 442.3 | -147.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,122.9 | 1,965.9 | +157.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 94.4 | 395.1 | -300.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Corvallis or Salem safer?
Corvallis is safer with a total crime rate of 2,695 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Corvallis has a violent crime rate of 183.8 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Corvallis has lower violent crime.
About Corvallis, OR
Corvallis, home to Oregon State University, is a city in the Willamette Valley. Its population of around 60,000 is largely influenced by the university's research and agricultural heritage. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 61,474, Corvallis has a total crime rate of 2,695.5 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.