Is Gresham or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gresham is safer than Salem (Safety Score 22/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,837 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 15% lower. Gresham has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Gresham has a 23% lower rate.
Gresham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gresham, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gresham | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,836.9 | 3,337.7 | -500.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 410.2 | 534.5 | -124.2 |
| Murder Rate | 5.5 | 4.5 | +1.0 |
| Rape Rate | 57.6 | 37.1 | +20.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 85.0 | 88.8 | -3.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 262.2 | 401.8 | -139.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,426.6 | 2,803.3 | -376.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 318.9 | 442.3 | -123.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,472.8 | 1,965.9 | -493.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 635.0 | 395.1 | +239.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gresham or Salem safer?
Gresham is safer with a total crime rate of 2,837 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gresham has a violent crime rate of 410.2 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Gresham 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 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.