Is Salem or Tualatin Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Tualatin is safer than Salem (Safety Score 22/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,844 per 100,000 versus 3,338 for Salem — 15% lower. Salem has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Tualatin has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Salem is 6.5x 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
Tualatin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem, OR
Tualatin, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Salem | Tualatin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,337.7 | 2,843.6 | +494.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 534.5 | 220.4 | +314.0 |
| Murder Rate | 4.5 | 0.0 | +4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 37.1 | 36.7 | +0.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 88.8 | 44.1 | +44.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 401.8 | 139.6 | +262.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,803.3 | 2,623.2 | +180.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 442.3 | 231.5 | +210.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,965.9 | 2,152.9 | -187.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.1 | 238.8 | +156.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salem or Tualatin safer?
Tualatin is safer with a total crime rate of 2,844 per 100K vs 3,338 for Salem — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Salem has a violent crime rate of 534.5 per 100K while Tualatin has 220.4. Tualatin 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 Tualatin, OR
Tualatin, a suburb south of Portland, is bisected by its namesake river. Known for the "Platypus" fossil discovered in 1991, its population of around 28,000 enjoys a mix of suburban amenities and natural areas. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 27,219, Tualatin has a total crime rate of 2,843.6 per 100,000 residents.