Is Klamath Falls or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Klamath Falls is safer than Salem (Safety Score 17/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 3,172 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 5% lower. Klamath Falls has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Salem has a 67% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 8.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Klamath Falls — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Klamath Falls, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Klamath Falls | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,171.9 | 3,337.7 | -165.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 483.8 | 534.5 | -50.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.7 | 4.5 | +9.2 |
| Rape Rate | 63.9 | 37.1 | +26.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 82.2 | 88.8 | -6.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 324.0 | 401.8 | -77.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,688.2 | 2,803.3 | -115.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 351.4 | 442.3 | -90.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,857.5 | 1,965.9 | -108.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 479.2 | 395.1 | +84.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Klamath Falls or Salem safer?
Klamath Falls is safer with a total crime rate of 3,172 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Klamath Falls has a violent crime rate of 483.8 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Klamath Falls has lower violent crime.
About Klamath Falls, OR
Klamath Falls, a Southern Oregon city nestled by Upper Klamath Lake, was once a major timber hub. Its population of roughly 22,000 has a median age of 37. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 21,911, Klamath Falls has a total crime rate of 3,171.9 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.