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C

Is Salem, Massachusetts Safe?

Population 45,381 · Safer than 36% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 45,381, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Salem earns a C with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,434 per 100K.

Salem Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSalemMassachusetts AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate257.9323.7363.8
Property Crime Rate1870.02004.41,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate153.0--268.2
Theft Rate1434.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate263.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC

212.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

258/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1870/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Salem

Violent crime in Salem is below the national average. The rate of 257.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1870.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,434 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Salem Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault153
057% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery42
066% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary236
087% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,434
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft263
083% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Salem Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Salem
257.9
State
323.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Salem
1870.0
State
2004.4
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Salem Safety

Is Salem safe?
Not especially. Salem earns a C with a crime rate of 212.8 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Salem?
212.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 257.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1870.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Salem safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Salem has a C grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Salem?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Salem generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Salem police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Salem?
Crime rates have held steady in Salem, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C grade.
How does Salem compare to other cities in Massachusetts?
Below average for the state. Salem ranks behind about 63% of Massachusetts cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Salem to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Salem?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 36th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Salem?
257.9 per 100,000, which is 29% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (153), robbery (42), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Massachusetts

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View all Massachusetts city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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