Is Salem or Sandy Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sandy is safer than Salem (Safety Score 54/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 1,580 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 53% lower. Salem has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sandy has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 13.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sandy — 3-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem, OR
Sandy, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Salem | Sandy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,337.7 | 1,579.5 | +1,758.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 534.5 | 61.3 | +473.1 |
| Murder Rate | 4.5 | 0.0 | +4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 37.1 | 15.3 | +21.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 88.8 | 15.3 | +73.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 401.8 | 30.7 | +371.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,803.3 | 1,518.2 | +1,285.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 442.3 | 115.0 | +327.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,965.9 | 1,219.1 | +746.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.1 | 184.0 | +211.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salem or Sandy safer?
Sandy is safer with a total crime rate of 1,580 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 53% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Salem has a violent crime rate of 534.5 per 100K while Sandy has 61.3. Sandy has lower violent crime.
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.
About Sandy, OR
Sandy, Oregon, is a gateway city to Mount Hood, known for its timber industry heritage. Located in Clackamas County, it has a population of around 13,000 residents. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 13,042, Sandy has a total crime rate of 1,579.5 per 100,000 residents.