Moving from Richmond, VA to Salem, VA?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Richmond, VA or Salem, VA Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Salem, VA is safer than Richmond, VA (Safety Score 55/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 1,550 per 100,000 versus 3,516 for Richmond, VA — 56% lower. Richmond has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Salem has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Richmond is 9.0x 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 Richmond, VA?
Richmond — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Richmond, VA
Salem, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Richmond | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,516.3 | 1,550.3 | +1,966.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 336.9 | 38.7 | +298.3 |
| Murder Rate | 24.2 | 7.7 | +16.4 |
| Rape Rate | 18.6 | 15.5 | +3.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 94.5 | 0.0 | +94.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 199.7 | 15.5 | +184.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,179.4 | 1,511.6 | +1,667.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 265.3 | 81.2 | +184.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,386.9 | 1,279.7 | +1,107.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 527.2 | 150.8 | +376.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Richmond, VA to Salem, VA?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Richmond or Salem safer?
Salem, VA is safer with a total crime rate of 1,550 per 100K vs 3,516 for Richmond, VA — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Richmond has a violent crime rate of 336.9 per 100K while Salem has 38.7. Salem has lower violent crime.
About Richmond, VA
Richmond, Virginia, a city pivotal during the Civil War, sits along the fall line of the James River. It's a diverse city, home to a vibrant arts scene and a growing population of young professionals. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 231,805, Richmond has a total crime rate of 3,516.3 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.