Is Phoenix or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Salem (Safety Score 17/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 6% lower. Phoenix has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Salem has a 51% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 9.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix, AZ
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Phoenix | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,125.4 | 3,337.7 | -212.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 800.0 | 534.5 | +265.6 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 4.5 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 64.3 | 37.1 | +27.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 181.6 | 88.8 | +92.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 545.3 | 401.8 | +143.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,325.3 | 2,803.3 | -477.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.2 | 442.3 | -125.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,582.1 | 1,965.9 | -383.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 426.0 | 395.1 | +30.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Salem safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 800.0 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Salem has lower violent crime.
About Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 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.