Is Eugene or Independence Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Independence is safer than Eugene (Safety Score 65/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 1,238 per 100,000 versus 3,574 for Eugene — 65% lower. Eugene has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Independence has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Eugene is 17.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Eugene — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Independence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Eugene, OR
Independence, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Eugene | Independence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,574.1 | 1,238.3 | +2,335.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 318.4 | 280.6 | +37.9 |
| Murder Rate | 1.1 | 0.0 | +1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 46.1 | 29.0 | +17.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 70.8 | 0.0 | +70.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 199.9 | 251.5 | -51.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,255.7 | 957.7 | +2,298.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 475.7 | 212.8 | +262.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,458.2 | 667.5 | +1,790.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 321.8 | 77.4 | +244.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eugene or Independence safer?
Independence is safer with a total crime rate of 1,238 per 100K vs 3,574 for Eugene — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Eugene has a violent crime rate of 318.4 per 100K while Independence has 280.6. Independence has lower violent crime.
About Eugene, OR
Eugene, Oregon, nestled in the Willamette Valley, is a city with a strong counter-culture legacy and a significant student population due to the University of Oregon. Its verdant surroundings are characteristic of the Pacific Northwest. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 178,057, Eugene has a total crime rate of 3,574.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Independence, OR
Independence, Oregon, founded as a jumping-off point for prospectors, sits on the Willamette River. This small city in Polk County has a population of around 10,000 residents. With a safety score of 65/100 and a population coverage of 10,337, Independence has a total crime rate of 1,238.3 per 100,000 residents.