Is Salem or Sweet Home Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sweet Home is safer than Salem (Safety Score 22/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,867 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 14% lower. Salem has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Sweet Home has a 78% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 17.2x 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
Sweet Home — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem, OR
Sweet Home, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Salem | Sweet Home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,337.7 | 2,866.8 | +470.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 534.5 | 193.7 | +340.8 |
| Murder Rate | 4.5 | 9.7 | -5.2 |
| Rape Rate | 37.1 | 38.7 | -1.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 88.8 | 19.4 | +69.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 401.8 | 106.5 | +295.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,803.3 | 2,673.1 | +130.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 442.3 | 348.7 | +93.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,965.9 | 2,208.2 | -242.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.1 | 116.2 | +278.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salem or Sweet Home safer?
Sweet Home is safer with a total crime rate of 2,867 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Salem has a violent crime rate of 534.5 per 100K while Sweet Home has 193.7. Sweet Home 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 Sweet Home, OR
Sweet Home, Oregon, nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, is known as the "Gateway to the Santiam Playground." This Linn County city, with a population around 10,000, hosts the annual Oregon Jamboree, a major country music festival. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 10,325, Sweet Home has a total crime rate of 2,866.8 per 100,000 residents.