Is Johnson City or Knoxville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Johnson City is safer than Knoxville (Safety Score 24/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 2,707 per 100,000 versus 3,462 for Knoxville — 22% lower. Johnson City has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Johnson City has a 59% lower rate.
Note: Knoxville is 2.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Johnson City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Knoxville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Johnson City, TN
Knoxville, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Johnson City | Knoxville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,707.4 | 3,461.6 | -754.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 404.9 | 740.3 | -335.4 |
| Murder Rate | 5.4 | 11.0 | -5.6 |
| Rape Rate | 75.6 | 64.9 | +10.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.7 | 81.8 | -48.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 287.5 | 582.7 | -295.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,302.5 | 2,721.3 | -418.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 203.8 | 328.8 | -125.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,924.6 | 2,013.9 | -89.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 174.1 | 378.6 | -204.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Johnson City or Knoxville safer?
Johnson City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,707 per 100K vs 3,462 for Knoxville — a 22% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Johnson City has a violent crime rate of 404.9 per 100K while Knoxville has 740.3. Johnson City has lower violent crime.
About Johnson City, TN
Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Johnson City is a regional hub with a vibrant downtown, home to East Tennessee State University. It's known for its role in the early country music scene. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 74,093, Johnson City has a total crime rate of 2,707.4 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.