Is Knoxville or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than Knoxville (Safety Score 19/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 3,462 for Knoxville — 12% lower. Knoxville has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New York City has a 64% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 41.4x 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
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Knoxville, TN
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Knoxville | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,461.6 | 3,039.7 | +421.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 740.3 | 671.4 | +68.9 |
| Murder Rate | 11.0 | 3.9 | +7.1 |
| Rape Rate | 64.9 | 23.4 | +41.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 81.8 | 187.5 | -105.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 582.7 | 456.2 | +126.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,721.3 | 2,368.3 | +353.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 328.8 | 154.7 | +174.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,013.9 | 2,015.0 | -1.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 378.6 | 198.5 | +180.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Knoxville or New York City safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 3,462 for Knoxville — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Knoxville has a violent crime rate of 740.3 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. New York City 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 New York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 per 100,000 residents.