Is Molalla or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Molalla is safer than Salem (Safety Score 81/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 825 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 75% lower. Molalla has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Molalla has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 17.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Molalla — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Molalla, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Molalla | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 825.3 | 3,337.7 | -2,512.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 129.3 | 534.5 | -405.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.5 | -4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 39.8 | 37.1 | +2.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 88.8 | -88.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 89.5 | 401.8 | -312.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 696.0 | 2,803.3 | -2,107.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 69.6 | 442.3 | -372.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 566.8 | 1,965.9 | -1,399.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 59.7 | 395.1 | -335.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Molalla or Salem safer?
Molalla is safer with a total crime rate of 825 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Molalla has a violent crime rate of 129.3 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Molalla has lower violent crime.
About Molalla, OR
Molalla, Oregon, a small city nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, is known for its annual Buckaroo rodeo. With a population around 9,000, it maintains a rural feel despite its proximity to the Portland metropolitan area. With a safety score of 81/100 and a population coverage of 10,057, Molalla has a total crime rate of 825.3 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.