Is Memphis or Portland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Portland is safer than Memphis (Safety Score 80/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 832 per 100,000 versus 9,407 for Memphis — 91% lower. Memphis has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Portland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Memphis is 44.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Memphis — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Memphis, TN
Portland, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Memphis | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 9,406.9 | 831.9 | +8,575.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 2,508.0 | 372.2 | +2,135.8 |
| Murder Rate | 40.6 | 0.0 | +40.6 |
| Rape Rate | 70.0 | 36.5 | +33.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 348.7 | 0.0 | +348.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 2,042.1 | 335.7 | +1,706.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 6,899.0 | 459.8 | +6,439.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 915.8 | 87.6 | +828.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 4,399.5 | 313.8 | +4,085.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,583.6 | 58.4 | +1,525.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Memphis or Portland safer?
Portland is safer with a total crime rate of 832 per 100K vs 9,407 for Memphis — a 91% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Memphis has a violent crime rate of 2,508.0 per 100K while Portland has 372.2. 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.
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.