Is Eugene or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than Eugene (Safety Score 15/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,338 per 100,000 versus 3,574 for Eugene — 7% lower. Eugene has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Eugene has a 75% lower rate.
Eugene — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Eugene, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Eugene | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,574.1 | 3,337.7 | +236.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 318.4 | 534.5 | -216.0 |
| Murder Rate | 1.1 | 4.5 | -3.4 |
| Rape Rate | 46.1 | 37.1 | +9.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 70.8 | 88.8 | -18.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 199.9 | 401.8 | -201.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,255.7 | 2,803.3 | +452.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 475.7 | 442.3 | +33.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,458.2 | 1,965.9 | +492.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 321.8 | 395.1 | -73.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eugene or Salem safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 3,338 per 100K vs 3,574 for Eugene — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Eugene has a violent crime rate of 318.4 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Eugene 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 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.