Salem, MA Crime Rate & Safety

Salem, MA has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 17% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 307 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 52 chance for property crime. Salem has lower crime than 47% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Salem is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. Approximately 100% of the city's 15 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Witchcraft Heights is one of the safest areas, while Castle Hill has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Salem is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Salem are Witchcraft Heights, Gallows Hill, North Salem, Vinnin Square, and Salem Common. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Salem include Castle Hill, The Point, South Salem, Mill Hill, and West Salem. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Salem is 326.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 14% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 307 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.5 per 100K (10% below average); aggravated assault at 241.0 per 100K (10% below average); robbery at 54.5 per 100K (26% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Salem is 1,909.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 4% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 52 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 185.6 per 100K (31% below average); larceny/theft at 1,417.4 per 100K (1% above average); vehicle theft at 306.7 per 100K (4% below average).

Salem's overall crime rate is 17% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (1% above average), while burglary is 31% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Salem has lower crime than 47% of them.

Salem is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 4% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Witchcraft Heights, Gallows Hill, North Salem.

Massachusetts as a whole has crime that is 17% below the national average. Salem's crime rate is 17% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical Massachusetts city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Salem, with an estimated rate of 1,417.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 1% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,910 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (326 per 100K) in Salem, which is consistent with national trends.