Is Jackson or Knoxville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Knoxville is safer than Jackson (Safety Score 13/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,462 per 100,000 versus 4,111 for Jackson — 16% lower. Jackson has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Knoxville has a 56% lower rate.
Note: Knoxville is 2.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Jackson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Knoxville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Jackson, TN
Knoxville, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Jackson | Knoxville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,110.7 | 3,461.6 | +649.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 950.4 | 740.3 | +210.1 |
| Murder Rate | 24.9 | 11.0 | +13.9 |
| Rape Rate | 35.2 | 64.9 | -29.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 99.6 | 81.8 | +17.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 790.8 | 582.7 | +208.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,160.2 | 2,721.3 | +439.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 448.1 | 328.8 | +119.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,435.4 | 2,013.9 | +421.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 276.8 | 378.6 | -101.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jackson or Knoxville safer?
Knoxville is safer with a total crime rate of 3,462 per 100K vs 4,111 for Jackson — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Jackson has a violent crime rate of 950.4 per 100K while Knoxville has 740.3. Knoxville has lower violent crime.
About Jackson, TN
Jackson, Tennessee, a city of over 60,000 residents, is situated in West Tennessee. It boasts a rich musical heritage, notably as the home of rockabilly pioneer Carl Perkins. The city serves as a regional hub for healthcare and retail. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 68,286, Jackson has a total crime rate of 4,110.7 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.