Is La Grande or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, La Grande is safer than Salem (Safety Score 21/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,924 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 12% lower. La Grande has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where La Grande has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 13.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
La Grande — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
La Grande, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | La Grande | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,923.7 | 3,337.7 | -414.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 254.6 | 534.5 | -279.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.5 | -4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 54.0 | 37.1 | +16.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 30.9 | 88.8 | -57.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 169.7 | 401.8 | -232.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,669.1 | 2,803.3 | -134.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 385.7 | 442.3 | -56.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,160.0 | 1,965.9 | +194.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 123.4 | 395.1 | -271.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is La Grande or Salem safer?
La Grande is safer with a total crime rate of 2,924 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
La Grande has a violent crime rate of 254.6 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. La Grande has lower violent crime.
About La Grande, OR
La Grande, nestled in the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon, is home to Eastern Oregon University. This Union County seat, with a population around 13,000, was once a major railroad hub. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 12,963, La Grande has a total crime rate of 2,923.7 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.