Is Salem or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Springfield is safer than Salem (Safety Score 18/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 3,097 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 7% lower. Salem has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Springfield has a 69% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 2.9x 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
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem, OR
Springfield, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Salem | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,337.7 | 3,097.2 | +240.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 534.5 | 305.8 | +228.7 |
| Murder Rate | 4.5 | 1.6 | +2.9 |
| Rape Rate | 37.1 | 49.3 | -12.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 88.8 | 28.0 | +60.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 401.8 | 226.9 | +175.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,803.3 | 2,791.4 | +11.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 442.3 | 272.9 | +169.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,965.9 | 2,322.9 | -357.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.1 | 195.6 | +199.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salem or Springfield safer?
Springfield is safer with a total crime rate of 3,097 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Salem has a violent crime rate of 534.5 per 100K while Springfield has 305.8. Springfield 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 Springfield, OR
Springfield, Oregon, a city with deep roots in the timber industry, sits adjacent to Eugene in the Willamette Valley. Its population of over 60,000 residents is characterized by a median age of 37. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 60,830, Springfield has a total crime rate of 3,097.2 per 100,000 residents.