Is Prineville or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Prineville is safer than Salem (Safety Score 76/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 971 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 71% lower. Prineville has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Prineville has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 14.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Prineville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Prineville, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Prineville | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 971.2 | 3,337.7 | -2,366.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 240.7 | 534.5 | -293.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.5 | -4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 41.5 | 37.1 | +4.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 88.8 | -88.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 199.2 | 401.8 | -202.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 730.5 | 2,803.3 | -2,072.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 49.8 | 442.3 | -392.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 614.3 | 1,965.9 | -1,351.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 66.4 | 395.1 | -328.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prineville or Salem safer?
Prineville is safer with a total crime rate of 971 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Prineville has a violent crime rate of 240.7 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Prineville has lower violent crime.
About Prineville, OR
Nestled in Central Oregon's high desert, Prineville is the oldest city in Crook County. It's known for its ranching heritage and as a gateway to outdoor recreation, with a population around 12,000. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 12,047, Prineville has a total crime rate of 971.2 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.