Is Memphis or Portland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Portland is safer than Memphis (Safety Score 1/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 6,247 per 100,000 versus 9,407 for Memphis — 34% lower. Memphis has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Portland has a 74% lower rate.
Memphis — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Memphis, TN
Portland, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Memphis | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 9,406.9 | 6,246.7 | +3,160.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 2,508.0 | 720.5 | +1,787.5 |
| Murder Rate | 40.6 | 10.8 | +29.9 |
| Rape Rate | 70.0 | 50.9 | +19.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 348.7 | 177.4 | +171.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 2,042.1 | 481.2 | +1,560.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 6,899.0 | 5,526.2 | +1,372.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 915.8 | 727.4 | +188.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 4,399.5 | 3,921.3 | +478.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,583.6 | 877.6 | +706.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Memphis or Portland safer?
Portland is safer with a total crime rate of 6,247 per 100K vs 9,407 for Memphis — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Memphis has a violent crime rate of 2,508.0 per 100K while Portland has 720.5. Portland has lower violent crime.
About Memphis, TN
Memphis, a city on the Mississippi River, is the birthplace of the blues and a major hub for the music industry. Its population is predominantly African American, reflecting a rich cultural heritage and diverse community. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 613,207, Memphis has a total crime rate of 9,406.9 per 100,000 residents.