Is Dallas or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Dallas is safer than Salem (Safety Score 32/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,345 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 30% lower. Dallas has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Dallas has a 68% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 10.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dallas — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dallas, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dallas | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,344.8 | 3,337.7 | -992.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 263.0 | 534.5 | -271.4 |
| Murder Rate | 5.6 | 4.5 | +1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 22.4 | 37.1 | -14.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 28.0 | 88.8 | -60.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 207.1 | 401.8 | -194.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,081.8 | 2,803.3 | -721.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 134.3 | 442.3 | -308.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,846.8 | 1,965.9 | -119.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 100.7 | 395.1 | -294.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dallas or Salem safer?
Dallas is safer with a total crime rate of 2,345 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dallas has a violent crime rate of 263.0 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Dallas has lower violent crime.
About Dallas, OR
Dallas, Oregon, the Polk County seat, sits in the Willamette Valley. Founded in 1845, its economy historically relied on timber and agriculture, and it maintains a small-town feel with a population around 16,000. With a safety score of 32/100 and a population coverage of 17,869, Dallas has a total crime rate of 2,344.8 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.