Is Lake Oswego or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Oswego is safer than Salem (Safety Score 67/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 1,166 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 65% lower. Lake Oswego has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lake Oswego has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 4.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake Oswego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Oswego, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Oswego | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,165.9 | 3,337.7 | -2,171.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 65.6 | 534.5 | -468.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 4.5 | -2.0 |
| Rape Rate | 27.8 | 37.1 | -9.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.6 | 88.8 | -81.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 27.8 | 401.8 | -374.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,100.3 | 2,803.3 | -1,703.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 201.9 | 442.3 | -240.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 789.9 | 1,965.9 | -1,176.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 108.5 | 395.1 | -286.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Oswego or Salem safer?
Lake Oswego is safer with a total crime rate of 1,166 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Oswego has a violent crime rate of 65.6 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Lake Oswego has lower violent crime.
About Lake Oswego, OR
Lake Oswego, a wealthy Portland suburb, was once a hub for Oregon's iron industry. Nestled around its namesake lake, the city boasts a median household income significantly higher than the state average. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 39,627, Lake Oswego has a total crime rate of 1,165.9 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.