Is Milwaukie or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Milwaukie is safer than Salem (Safety Score 49/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 1,720 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 48% lower. Milwaukie has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Milwaukie has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 8.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Milwaukie — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Milwaukie, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Milwaukie | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,719.9 | 3,337.7 | -1,617.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 193.2 | 534.5 | -341.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.5 | -4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 46.0 | 37.1 | +8.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 13.8 | 88.8 | -75.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 133.4 | 401.8 | -268.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,526.8 | 2,803.3 | -1,276.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 156.4 | 442.3 | -285.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,126.7 | 1,965.9 | -839.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 243.7 | 395.1 | -151.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Milwaukie or Salem safer?
Milwaukie is safer with a total crime rate of 1,720 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 48% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Milwaukie has a violent crime rate of 193.2 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Milwaukie has lower violent crime.
About Milwaukie, OR
Milwaukie, incorporated in 1903, is a city on the Willamette River, just south of Portland. It's home to the nation's first publicly funded light rail system, the MAX Orange Line. A diverse population resides in this community. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 21,745, Milwaukie has a total crime rate of 1,719.9 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.