Is Oregon City or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than Oregon City (Safety Score 55/100 vs 55/100), with a total crime rate of 1,550 per 100,000 versus 1,556 for Oregon City — 0% lower. Oregon City has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Oregon City has a 100% lower rate.
Oregon City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Oregon City, OR
Salem, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Oregon City | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,555.9 | 1,550.3 | +5.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 231.1 | 38.7 | +192.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.7 | -7.7 |
| Rape Rate | 48.4 | 15.5 | +32.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 16.1 | 0.0 | +16.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 166.6 | 15.5 | +151.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,324.8 | 1,511.6 | -186.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 115.6 | 81.2 | +34.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,080.3 | 1,279.7 | -199.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 129.0 | 150.8 | -21.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oregon City or Salem safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 1,550 per 100K vs 1,556 for Oregon City — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Oregon City has a violent crime rate of 231.1 per 100K while Salem has 38.7. Salem 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.
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.