Is Nashua or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Nashua is safer than Salem (Safety Score 59/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,424 per 100,000 versus 2,074 for Salem — 31% lower. Nashua has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Nashua has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Nashua is 2.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Nashua — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Nashua, NH
Salem, NH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Nashua | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,424.1 | 2,074.3 | -650.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 162.8 | 106.4 | +56.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.1 | -3.1 |
| Rape Rate | 53.9 | 25.0 | +28.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 14.3 | 46.9 | -32.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 92.4 | 31.3 | +61.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,261.3 | 1,968.0 | -706.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 33.0 | 62.6 | -29.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,141.4 | 1,820.9 | -679.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 86.9 | 84.5 | +2.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nashua or Salem safer?
Nashua is safer with a total crime rate of 1,424 per 100K vs 2,074 for Salem — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Nashua has a violent crime rate of 162.8 per 100K while Salem has 106.4. Salem has lower violent crime.
About Nashua, NH
Nashua, once the "Spindletree City" for its textile mills, sits on the Merrimack River near the Massachusetts border. This southern New Hampshire city is the second most populous in the state. With a safety score of 59/100 and a population coverage of 90,938, Nashua has a total crime rate of 1,424.1 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.