Is Los Angeles or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Salem (Safety Score 35/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 34% lower. Los Angeles has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Salem has a 58% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 21.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles, CA
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 3,337.7 | -1,125.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 534.5 | +194.1 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 4.5 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 37.1 | +3.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 88.8 | +121.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 401.8 | +69.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 2,803.3 | -1,319.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 442.3 | -69.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,965.9 | -1,114.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 395.1 | -135.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or Salem safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Salem has lower violent crime.
About Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, a sprawling Southern California metropolis, is a major Pacific Rim gateway, home to Hollywood's film industry. Its diverse population of nearly 4 million people resides across a vast urban landscape bordered by mountains and the Pacific Ocean. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 3,796,352, Los Angeles has a total crime rate of 2,212.5 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.