Is Salem or Tempe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than Tempe (Safety Score 15/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 3,338 per 100,000 versus 3,364 for Tempe — 1% lower. Salem has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Tempe has a 42% lower rate.
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Tempe — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem, OR
Tempe, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Salem | Tempe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,337.7 | 3,364.1 | -26.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 534.5 | 470.3 | +64.2 |
| Murder Rate | 4.5 | 2.6 | +1.9 |
| Rape Rate | 37.1 | 71.6 | -34.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 88.8 | 66.4 | +22.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 401.8 | 329.7 | +72.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,803.3 | 2,893.8 | -90.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 442.3 | 334.4 | +107.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,965.9 | 2,257.9 | -292.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.1 | 301.5 | +93.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salem or Tempe safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 3,338 per 100K vs 3,364 for Tempe — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Salem has a violent crime rate of 534.5 per 100K while Tempe has 470.3. Tempe 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 Tempe, AZ
Tempe, Arizona, home to Arizona State University's largest campus, sits in the Valley of the Sun. This vibrant city, named for the Vale of Tempe in Greece, boasts a young, educated population drawn to its urban core and outdoor recreation along Tempe Town Lake. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 191,376, Tempe has a total crime rate of 3,364.1 per 100,000 residents.