Salem, VA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 87% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Salem Safe?
Yes — Salem is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Salem has a crime rate that is 46% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 455.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 455
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
42% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 61
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
10% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Salem Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
83 | -17% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
45 | -55% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
90 | -10% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
75 | -25% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Salem Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Salem Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Salem zip codes.
Salem Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Salem, VA?
Salem, VA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 46% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 455 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 61 chance for property crime. Salem has lower crime than 87% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Salem, VA safe to live in?
Salem is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Salem is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Salem?
The estimated violent crime rate in Salem is 219.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 42% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 455 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.3 per 100K (34% below average); aggravated assault at 139.5 per 100K (48% below average); robbery at 61.6 per 100K (17% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Salem?
The estimated property crime rate in Salem is 1,652.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 10% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 61 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 158.9 per 100K (41% below average); larceny/theft at 1,254.8 per 100K (10% below average); vehicle theft at 239.0 per 100K (25% below average).
How does Salem crime compare to the national average?
Salem's overall crime rate is 46% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (10% below average), while rape is 55% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Salem has lower crime than 87% of them.
Is Salem safe to visit?
Salem is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 10% below 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.
How does Salem crime compare to the rest of Virginia?
Virginia as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Salem's crime rate is 46% below the national average, making it safer the typical Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Salem?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Salem, with an estimated rate of 1,254.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 10% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,653 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (220 per 100K) in Salem, which is consistent with national trends.