Is Newport or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Newport is safer than Salem (Safety Score 21/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,919 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 13% lower. Newport has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Newport has a 68% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 16.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Newport — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Newport, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Newport | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,918.6 | 3,337.7 | -419.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 246.4 | 534.5 | -288.1 |
| Murder Rate | 9.5 | 4.5 | +5.0 |
| Rape Rate | 75.8 | 37.1 | +38.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 28.4 | 88.8 | -60.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 132.7 | 401.8 | -269.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,672.2 | 2,803.3 | -131.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 274.8 | 442.3 | -167.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,264.8 | 1,965.9 | +298.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 132.7 | 395.1 | -262.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Newport or Salem safer?
Newport is safer with a total crime rate of 2,919 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Newport has a violent crime rate of 246.4 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Newport has lower violent crime.
About Newport, OR
Newport, a coastal city in Lincoln County, thrives as a major fishing port. Its iconic Yaquina Bay Bridge, a marvel of Art Deco design, connects the north and south parts of the city. The population hovers around 10,000 residents. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 10,553, Newport has a total crime rate of 2,918.6 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.