Is Knoxville or Portland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Portland is safer than Knoxville (Safety Score 80/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 832 per 100,000 versus 3,462 for Knoxville — 76% lower. Knoxville has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Portland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Knoxville is 14.6x 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
Portland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Knoxville, TN
Portland, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Knoxville | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,461.6 | 831.9 | +2,629.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 740.3 | 372.2 | +368.1 |
| Murder Rate | 11.0 | 0.0 | +11.0 |
| Rape Rate | 64.9 | 36.5 | +28.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 81.8 | 0.0 | +81.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 582.7 | 335.7 | +247.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,721.3 | 459.8 | +2,261.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 328.8 | 87.6 | +241.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,013.9 | 313.8 | +1,700.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 378.6 | 58.4 | +320.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Knoxville or Portland safer?
Portland is safer with a total crime rate of 832 per 100K vs 3,462 for Knoxville — a 76% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Knoxville has a violent crime rate of 740.3 per 100K while Portland has 372.2. Portland 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 Portland, TN
Portland, Tennessee, a small city in Sumner County, was once known as "The Strawberry Capital of the World." Situated near the Kentucky border, its population was 14,795 as of the 2020 census. With a safety score of 80/100 and a population coverage of 13,703, Portland has a total crime rate of 831.9 per 100,000 residents.