Is New York City or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Salem is safer than New York City (Safety Score 55/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,550 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 49% lower. New York City has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Salem has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 320.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than New York City, NY?
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Salem, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 1,550.3 | +1,489.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 38.7 | +632.8 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 7.7 | -3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 15.5 | +8.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 0.0 | +187.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 15.5 | +440.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 1,511.6 | +856.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 81.2 | +73.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 1,279.7 | +735.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 150.8 | +47.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Salem safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 1,550 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 49% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Salem has 38.7. Salem has lower violent crime.
About New York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Salem, VA
Salem, VA, nestled in the Roanoke Valley, is a city with roots tracing back to the 1800s as a railroad town. Home to Roanoke College, it boasts a population of around 25,000 residents. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 25,866, Salem has a total crime rate of 1,550.3 per 100,000 residents.