Is Pendleton or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Pendleton is safer than Salem (Safety Score 18/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 3,090 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 7% lower. Pendleton has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pendleton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 10.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Pendleton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pendleton, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Pendleton | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,089.8 | 3,337.7 | -248.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 408.5 | 534.5 | -125.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.5 | -4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 103.6 | 37.1 | +66.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 23.0 | 88.8 | -65.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 281.9 | 401.8 | -119.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,681.2 | 2,803.3 | -122.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 258.9 | 442.3 | -183.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,192.2 | 1,965.9 | +226.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 230.2 | 395.1 | -164.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pendleton or Salem safer?
Pendleton is safer with a total crime rate of 3,090 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Pendleton has a violent crime rate of 408.5 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Pendleton has lower violent crime.
About Pendleton, OR
Pendleton, Oregon, a city of about 17,000 in Umatilla County, is famous for its annual Pendleton Round-Up rodeo. Situated along the Umatilla River in Eastern Oregon, it was once a major wheat shipping hub. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 17,380, Pendleton has a total crime rate of 3,089.8 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.