Memphis, TN Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 613,207
Violent
Property
Total
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Memphis, Tennessee Safe?
Memphis has a safety score of 1/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 9,406.9 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Memphis ranks #59 out of 59 cities in Tennessee and #2964 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 0th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 100% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Memphis is murder, at 40.6 per 100K — 6.5x the national average.
Year over year, Memphis's total crime rate decreased by 16.2%, with violent crime declining 4.2%.
Memphis Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 15,379 | 2,508.0 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 249 | 40.6 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 429 | 70.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 2,138 | 348.7 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 12,522 | 2,042.1 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 42,305 | 6,899.0 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 5,616 | 915.8 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 26,978 | 4,399.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 9,711 | 1,583.6 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Memphis vs Tennessee Average
How does Memphis's crime rate compare to the Tennessee state average?
| Metric | Memphis | Tennessee Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 2,508.0 | 916.8 | +173.6% |
| Property Crime Rate | 6,899.0 | 3,281.7 | +110.2% |
| Murder Rate | 40.6 | 13.0 | +211.9% |
| Total Crime Rate | 9,406.9 | 4,198.5 | +124.1% |
Memphis Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Memphis, Tennessee.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 613,207 | 9,406.9 | 2,508.0 | 6,899.0 |
| 2023 | 616,061 | 11,222.1 | 2,619.2 | 8,602.9 |
| 2022 | 624,944 | 9,611.6 | 2,417.0 | 7,194.6 |
| 2021 | 649,444 | 7,723.1 | 2,441.3 | 5,281.8 |
| 2020 | 650,937 | 7,971.0 | 2,371.4 | 5,599.6 |
| 2019 | 650,410 | 8,031.2 | 1,902.8 | 6,128.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Memphis, Tennessee safe?
Memphis has a safety score of 1/100. With a total crime rate of 9,406.9 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Memphis is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Memphis, Tennessee?
According to FBI data for 2024, Memphis has a violent crime rate of 2,508.0 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 6,899.0 per 100,000 residents.
How does Memphis compare to the national average?
Memphis's total crime rate of 9,406.9 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 613,207.
What types of crime are most common in Memphis?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Memphis include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Memphis safe to visit?
Like any city, Memphis has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 1/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.