Is Knoxville or Sioux Falls Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sioux Falls is safer than Knoxville (Safety Score 14/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 3,442 per 100,000 versus 3,462 for Knoxville — 1% lower. Knoxville has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Sioux Falls has a 42% lower rate.
Knoxville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sioux Falls — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Knoxville, TN
Sioux Falls, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Knoxville | Sioux Falls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,461.6 | 3,442.0 | +19.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 740.3 | 526.7 | +213.6 |
| Murder Rate | 11.0 | 6.6 | +4.3 |
| Rape Rate | 64.9 | 28.0 | +36.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 81.8 | 47.4 | +34.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 582.7 | 444.7 | +138.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,721.3 | 2,915.2 | -194.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 328.8 | 303.0 | +25.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,013.9 | 2,174.7 | -160.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 378.6 | 437.6 | -59.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Knoxville or Sioux Falls safer?
Sioux Falls is safer with a total crime rate of 3,442 per 100K vs 3,462 for Knoxville — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Knoxville has a violent crime rate of 740.3 per 100K while Sioux Falls has 526.7. Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls, named for the Big Sioux River and its waterfalls, is South Dakota's largest city. It's a regional hub for healthcare and finance, with a growing population of over 200,000 residents. The city's economy has historically been tied to agriculture. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 210,926, Sioux Falls has a total crime rate of 3,442.0 per 100,000 residents.