Is Manchester or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Manchester is safer than Salem (Safety Score 41/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,985 per 100,000 versus 2,074 for Salem — 4% lower. Manchester has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Salem has a 68% lower rate.
Note: Manchester is 3.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Manchester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Manchester, NH
Salem, NH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Manchester | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,985.0 | 2,074.3 | -89.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 336.9 | 106.4 | +230.5 |
| Murder Rate | 1.7 | 3.1 | -1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 52.0 | 25.0 | +26.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 58.0 | 46.9 | +11.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 224.3 | 31.3 | +193.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,648.1 | 1,968.0 | -319.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 92.7 | 62.6 | +30.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,404.8 | 1,820.9 | -416.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 150.7 | 84.5 | +66.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manchester or Salem safer?
Manchester is safer with a total crime rate of 1,985 per 100K vs 2,074 for Salem — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Manchester has a violent crime rate of 336.9 per 100K while Salem has 106.4. Salem has lower violent crime.
About Manchester, NH
Manchester, once a mill town powered by the Merrimack River, is New Hampshire's largest city. Its historic Amoskeag Millyard now houses businesses and a university, reflecting a shift towards a service-based economy. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 115,464, Manchester has a total crime rate of 1,985.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Salem, NH
Salem, NH, once home to America's first continuously operated amusement park, is a southern New Hampshire town bordering Massachusetts. Its population is primarily white and has grown steadily over the past few decades. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 31,962, Salem has a total crime rate of 2,074.3 per 100,000 residents.