Is Knoxville or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Knoxville (Safety Score 35/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,462 for Knoxville — 36% lower. Knoxville has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Knoxville has a 61% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 18.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Knoxville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Knoxville, TN
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Knoxville | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,461.6 | 2,212.5 | +1,249.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 740.3 | 728.5 | +11.8 |
| Murder Rate | 11.0 | 7.0 | +4.0 |
| Rape Rate | 64.9 | 40.3 | +24.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 81.8 | 209.9 | -128.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 582.7 | 471.4 | +111.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,721.3 | 1,483.9 | +1,237.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 328.8 | 372.8 | -44.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,013.9 | 851.5 | +1,162.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 378.6 | 259.6 | +119.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Knoxville or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,462 for Knoxville — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Knoxville has a violent crime rate of 740.3 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Los Angeles has lower violent crime.
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.
About Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, a sprawling Southern California metropolis, is a major Pacific Rim gateway, home to Hollywood's film industry. Its diverse population of nearly 4 million people resides across a vast urban landscape bordered by mountains and the Pacific Ocean. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 3,796,352, Los Angeles has a total crime rate of 2,212.5 per 100,000 residents.