Moving from Knoxville, TN to Memphis, TN?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Knoxville or Memphis Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Knoxville is safer than Memphis (Safety Score 13/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 3,462 per 100,000 versus 9,407 for Memphis — 63% lower. Knoxville has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Knoxville has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Memphis is 3.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Knoxville, TN?
Knoxville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Memphis — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Knoxville, TN
Memphis, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Knoxville | Memphis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,461.6 | 9,406.9 | -5,945.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 740.3 | 2,508.0 | -1,767.7 |
| Murder Rate | 11.0 | 40.6 | -29.6 |
| Rape Rate | 64.9 | 70.0 | -5.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 81.8 | 348.7 | -266.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 582.7 | 2,042.1 | -1,459.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,721.3 | 6,899.0 | -4,177.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 328.8 | 915.8 | -587.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,013.9 | 4,399.5 | -2,385.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 378.6 | 1,583.6 | -1,205.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Knoxville, TN to Memphis, TN?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Knoxville or Memphis safer?
Knoxville is safer with a total crime rate of 3,462 per 100K vs 9,407 for Memphis — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Knoxville has a violent crime rate of 740.3 per 100K while Memphis has 2,508.0. Knoxville 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 Memphis, TN
Memphis, a city on the Mississippi River, is the birthplace of the blues and a major hub for the music industry. Its population is predominantly African American, reflecting a rich cultural heritage and diverse community. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 613,207, Memphis has a total crime rate of 9,406.9 per 100,000 residents.