Is Roseburg or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than Roseburg (Safety Score 15/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 3,338 per 100,000 versus 3,984 for Roseburg — 16% lower. Roseburg has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Roseburg has a 59% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 7.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Roseburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Roseburg, OR
Salem, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Roseburg | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,983.8 | 3,337.7 | +646.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 217.4 | 534.5 | -317.1 |
| Murder Rate | 4.2 | 4.5 | -0.3 |
| Rape Rate | 54.3 | 37.1 | +17.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 66.9 | 88.8 | -21.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 92.0 | 401.8 | -309.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,766.4 | 2,803.3 | +963.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 275.9 | 442.3 | -166.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,227.2 | 1,965.9 | +1,261.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 263.4 | 395.1 | -131.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roseburg or Salem safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 3,338 per 100K vs 3,984 for Roseburg — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Roseburg has a violent crime rate of 217.4 per 100K while Salem has 534.5. Roseburg has lower violent crime.
About Roseburg, OR
Roseburg, nestled in the Umpqua River Valley, is a timber town with a rich logging history. It's the county seat of Douglas County, known for its scenic beauty and proximity to the Oregon Caves National Monument. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 23,922, Roseburg has a total crime rate of 3,983.8 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.