Is Gresham or Molalla Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Molalla is safer than Gresham (Safety Score 81/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 825 per 100,000 versus 2,837 for Gresham — 71% lower. Gresham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Molalla has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Gresham is 10.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gresham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Molalla — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gresham, OR
Molalla, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gresham | Molalla | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,836.9 | 825.3 | +2,011.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 410.2 | 129.3 | +281.0 |
| Murder Rate | 5.5 | 0.0 | +5.5 |
| Rape Rate | 57.6 | 39.8 | +17.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.0 | 0.0 | +85.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 262.2 | 89.5 | +172.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,426.6 | 696.0 | +1,730.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 318.9 | 69.6 | +249.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,472.8 | 566.8 | +906.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 635.0 | 59.7 | +575.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gresham or Molalla safer?
Molalla is safer with a total crime rate of 825 per 100K vs 2,837 for Gresham — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gresham has a violent crime rate of 410.2 per 100K while Molalla has 129.3. Molalla has lower violent crime.
About Gresham, OR
Gresham, Oregon, a city in Multnomah County, is the fourth largest in the state. Once known as "Turkey Town" for its poultry industry, it sits at the eastern edge of the Portland metropolitan area, near the foothills of Mount Hood. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 109,452, Gresham has a total crime rate of 2,836.9 per 100,000 residents.
About Molalla, OR
Molalla, Oregon, a small city nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, is known for its annual Buckaroo rodeo. With a population around 9,000, it maintains a rural feel despite its proximity to the Portland metropolitan area. With a safety score of 81/100 and a population coverage of 10,057, Molalla has a total crime rate of 825.3 per 100,000 residents.