Is Knoxville or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Phoenix is safer than Knoxville (Safety Score 17/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100,000 versus 3,462 for Knoxville — 10% lower. Knoxville has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Knoxville has a 55% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 8.3x 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
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Knoxville, TN
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Knoxville | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,461.6 | 3,125.4 | +336.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 740.3 | 800.0 | -59.7 |
| Murder Rate | 11.0 | 8.4 | +2.6 |
| Rape Rate | 64.9 | 64.3 | +0.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 81.8 | 181.6 | -99.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 582.7 | 545.3 | +37.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,721.3 | 2,325.3 | +395.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 328.8 | 317.2 | +11.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,013.9 | 1,582.1 | +431.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 378.6 | 426.0 | -47.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Knoxville or Phoenix safer?
Phoenix is safer with a total crime rate of 3,125 per 100K vs 3,462 for Knoxville — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Knoxville has a violent crime rate of 740.3 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. 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 Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.