Is Independence or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Independence is safer than Salem (Safety Score 65/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 1,238 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 63% lower. Independence has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Independence has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 17.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Independence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Independence, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Independence | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,238.3 | 3,337.7 | -2,099.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 280.6 | 534.5 | -253.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.5 | -4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 29.0 | 37.1 | -8.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 88.8 | -88.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 251.5 | 401.8 | -150.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 957.7 | 2,803.3 | -1,845.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 212.8 | 442.3 | -229.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 667.5 | 1,965.9 | -1,298.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 77.4 | 395.1 | -317.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Independence or Salem safer?
Independence is safer with a total crime rate of 1,238 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Independence has a violent crime rate of 280.6 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Independence has lower violent crime.
About Independence, OR
Independence, Oregon, founded as a jumping-off point for prospectors, sits on the Willamette River. This small city in Polk County has a population of around 10,000 residents. With a safety score of 65/100 and a population coverage of 10,337, Independence has a total crime rate of 1,238.3 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.