Is Knoxville or Paris Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Paris is safer than Knoxville (Safety Score 45/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 1,853 per 100,000 versus 3,462 for Knoxville — 46% lower. Knoxville has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Paris has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Knoxville is 19.3x 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
Paris — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Knoxville, TN
Paris, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Knoxville | Paris | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,461.6 | 1,853.3 | +1,608.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 740.3 | 164.1 | +576.2 |
| Murder Rate | 11.0 | 0.0 | +11.0 |
| Rape Rate | 64.9 | 9.7 | +55.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 81.8 | 0.0 | +81.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 582.7 | 154.4 | +428.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,721.3 | 1,689.2 | +1,032.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 328.8 | 164.1 | +164.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,013.9 | 1,467.2 | +546.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 378.6 | 57.9 | +320.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Knoxville or Paris safer?
Paris is safer with a total crime rate of 1,853 per 100K vs 3,462 for Knoxville — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Knoxville has a violent crime rate of 740.3 per 100K while Paris has 164.1. Paris 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 Paris, TN
Paris, Tennessee, home to the World's Biggest Fish Fry, is a rural city in Henry County. Its economy has historical ties to agriculture and the Paris Landing State Park attracts visitors to Kentucky Lake. With a safety score of 45/100 and a population coverage of 10,360, Paris has a total crime rate of 1,853.3 per 100,000 residents.