Moving from Norfolk, VA to Salem, VA?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Norfolk, VA or Salem, VA Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Salem, VA is safer than Norfolk, VA (Safety Score 55/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 1,550 per 100,000 versus 4,242 for Norfolk, VA — 63% lower. Norfolk has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Salem has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Norfolk is 8.9x 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 Norfolk, VA?
Norfolk — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Norfolk, VA
Salem, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Norfolk | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,242.0 | 1,550.3 | +2,691.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 469.5 | 38.7 | +430.8 |
| Murder Rate | 16.1 | 7.7 | +8.3 |
| Rape Rate | 40.4 | 15.5 | +24.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.2 | 0.0 | +77.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 335.9 | 15.5 | +320.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,772.5 | 1,511.6 | +2,260.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 254.3 | 81.2 | +173.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,122.9 | 1,279.7 | +1,843.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.3 | 150.8 | +244.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Norfolk, VA to Salem, VA?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Norfolk or Salem safer?
Salem, VA is safer with a total crime rate of 1,550 per 100K vs 4,242 for Norfolk, VA — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Norfolk has a violent crime rate of 469.5 per 100K while Salem has 38.7. Salem has lower violent crime.
About Norfolk, VA
Norfolk, a historic port city in Southeast Virginia, is home to the world's largest naval base. Its waterfront location at the mouth of the Elizabeth River shapes its identity and economy, drawing a diverse population. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 230,460, Norfolk has a total crime rate of 4,242.0 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.