Is Salem or San Antonio Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than San Antonio (Safety Score 55/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,550 per 100,000 versus 5,219 for San Antonio — 70% lower. Salem has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Salem has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Antonio is 58.6x 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
San Antonio — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem, VA
San Antonio, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Salem | San Antonio | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,550.3 | 5,219.0 | -3,668.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 38.7 | 595.3 | -556.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.7 | 8.4 | -0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 15.5 | 83.7 | -68.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 108.4 | -108.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 15.5 | 393.7 | -378.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,511.6 | 4,623.6 | -3,112.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 81.2 | 495.6 | -414.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,279.7 | 3,291.8 | -2,012.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 150.8 | 836.3 | -685.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salem or San Antonio safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 1,550 per 100K vs 5,219 for San Antonio — a 70% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Salem has a violent crime rate of 38.7 per 100K while San Antonio has 595.3. Salem has lower violent crime.
About Salem, VA
Salem, VA, nestled in the Roanoke Valley, is a city with roots tracing back to the 1800s as a railroad town. Home to Roanoke College, it boasts a population of around 25,000 residents. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 25,866, Salem has a total crime rate of 1,550.3 per 100,000 residents.
About San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, a South Texas city famed for the Alamo, sits along the Balcones Escarpment. Its population is predominantly Hispanic, reflecting a rich blend of cultures. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,514,458, San Antonio has a total crime rate of 5,219.0 per 100,000 residents.