Is Lebanon or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lebanon is safer than Salem (Safety Score 66/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 1,196 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 64% lower. Lebanon has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lebanon has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 8.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lebanon — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lebanon, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lebanon | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,196.4 | 3,337.7 | -2,141.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 144.0 | 534.5 | -390.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.5 | -4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 19.9 | 37.1 | -17.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 14.9 | 88.8 | -73.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 109.2 | 401.8 | -292.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,052.4 | 2,803.3 | -1,750.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 74.5 | 442.3 | -367.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 848.9 | 1,965.9 | -1,117.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 129.1 | 395.1 | -266.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lebanon or Salem safer?
Lebanon is safer with a total crime rate of 1,196 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lebanon has a violent crime rate of 144.0 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Lebanon has lower violent crime.
About Lebanon, OR
Lebanon, Oregon, nestled in the Willamette Valley, is a city of around 19,000 residents. It was founded in 1847 and is known for its historic downtown and as a gateway to outdoor recreation. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 20,144, Lebanon has a total crime rate of 1,196.4 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.