Is Cleveland or Knoxville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cleveland is safer than Knoxville (Safety Score 22/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 2,837 per 100,000 versus 3,462 for Knoxville — 18% lower. Cleveland has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cleveland has a 63% lower rate.
Note: Knoxville is 4.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cleveland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Knoxville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, TN
Knoxville, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Knoxville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,837.4 | 3,461.6 | -624.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 452.7 | 740.3 | -287.6 |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 11.0 | -6.9 |
| Rape Rate | 18.2 | 64.9 | -46.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 62.7 | 81.8 | -19.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 367.8 | 582.7 | -214.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,384.7 | 2,721.3 | -336.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 272.8 | 328.8 | -55.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,962.3 | 2,013.9 | -51.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 149.6 | 378.6 | -229.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Knoxville safer?
Cleveland is safer with a total crime rate of 2,837 per 100K vs 3,462 for Knoxville — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 452.7 per 100K while Knoxville has 740.3. Cleveland has lower violent crime.
About Cleveland, TN
Cleveland, Tennessee, a city named for Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, sits in Bradley County at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It's home to Lee University, a prominent Church of God institution. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 49,482, Cleveland has a total crime rate of 2,837.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Knoxville, TN
Knoxville, nestled in the Appalachian foothills, is a city of just under 200,000 residents. It boasts a rich musical heritage, notably as the birthplace of the Everly Brothers. The Tennessee River flows along its downtown, a reminder of its historical role in trade and industry. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 200,457, Knoxville has a total crime rate of 3,461.6 per 100,000 residents.