Is Dallas or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than Dallas (Safety Score 49/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Dallas — 57% lower. Dallas has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Salem has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Dallas is 28.8x 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, TX
Salem, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dallas | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.3 | 1,706.0 | +2,306.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 660.5 | 152.3 | +508.1 |
| Murder Rate | 13.6 | 0.0 | +13.6 |
| Rape Rate | 35.9 | 13.1 | +22.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 168.5 | 34.8 | +133.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 440.1 | 104.5 | +335.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,351.9 | 1,553.7 | +1,798.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 464.1 | 106.6 | +357.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,787.3 | 1,347.0 | +440.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,100.5 | 100.1 | +1,000.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dallas or Salem safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100K vs 4,012 for Dallas — a 57% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dallas has a violent crime rate of 660.5 per 100K while Salem has 152.3. Salem has lower violent crime.
About Dallas, TX
Dallas, a major hub in North Texas, is known for its historic role in the oil industry and its sprawling urban landscape. The city boasts a diverse population exceeding 1.3 million within its city limits. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 1,321,500, Dallas has a total crime rate of 4,012.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Salem, MA
Salem, Massachusetts, renowned for the 1692 witch trials, is a small coastal city north of Boston. Its population is approximately 45,000, with a significant portion employed in tourism and education. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 45,955, Salem has a total crime rate of 1,706.0 per 100,000 residents.