Is Oregon City or Portland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Oregon City is safer than Portland (Safety Score 55/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 1,556 per 100,000 versus 6,247 for Portland — 75% lower. Oregon City has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Oregon City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Portland is 16.7x 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 Oregon City, OR?
Oregon City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Oregon City, OR
Portland, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Oregon City | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,555.9 | 6,246.7 | -4,690.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 231.1 | 720.5 | -489.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 10.8 | -10.8 |
| Rape Rate | 48.4 | 50.9 | -2.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 16.1 | 177.4 | -161.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 166.6 | 481.2 | -314.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,324.8 | 5,526.2 | -4,201.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 115.6 | 727.4 | -611.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,080.3 | 3,921.3 | -2,841.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 129.0 | 877.6 | -748.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oregon City or Portland safer?
Oregon City is safer with a total crime rate of 1,556 per 100K vs 6,247 for Portland — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Oregon City has a violent crime rate of 231.1 per 100K while Portland has 720.5. Oregon City has lower violent crime.
About Oregon City, OR
Oregon City, the first incorporated city west of the Rocky Mountains, sits at the confluence of the Willamette and Clackamas Rivers. Once the capital of the Oregon Territory, its population is around 38,000. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 37,213, Oregon City has a total crime rate of 1,555.9 per 100,000 residents.