Is Hermiston or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than Hermiston (Safety Score 15/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,338 per 100,000 versus 3,543 for Hermiston — 6% lower. Hermiston has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Hermiston has a 65% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 9.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hermiston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hermiston, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hermiston | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,542.9 | 3,337.7 | +205.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 317.9 | 534.5 | -216.6 |
| Murder Rate | 10.3 | 4.5 | +5.8 |
| Rape Rate | 46.1 | 37.1 | +9.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 30.8 | 88.8 | -58.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 230.7 | 401.8 | -171.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,225.0 | 2,803.3 | +421.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 153.8 | 442.3 | -288.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,912.2 | 1,965.9 | +946.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 158.9 | 395.1 | -236.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hermiston or Salem safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 3,338 per 100K vs 3,543 for Hermiston — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hermiston has a violent crime rate of 317.9 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Hermiston has lower violent crime.
About Hermiston, OR
Hermiston, Oregon, a city in Umatilla County known for its watermelon industry, sits at the confluence of the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Its economy, historically tied to agriculture, benefits from a diverse population of around 20,000 residents. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 19,504, Hermiston has a total crime rate of 3,542.9 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.