Is Houston or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than Houston (Safety Score 15/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,338 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 39% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Salem has a 68% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 13.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 3,337.7 | +2,104.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 534.5 | +613.8 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 4.5 | +9.3 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 37.1 | +35.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 88.8 | +185.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 401.8 | +385.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,803.3 | +1,490.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 442.3 | +202.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,965.9 | +979.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 395.1 | +307.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Salem safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 3,338 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Salem has lower violent crime.
About Houston, TX
Houston, the "Space City," is a sprawling metropolis in Southeast Texas, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Its diverse population makes it one of the most multicultural cities in the U.S., with significant Hispanic and Asian communities. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 2,319,160, Houston has a total crime rate of 5,441.7 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.