Knoxville, TN Crime Rate & Safety

Knoxville, TN has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 25% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 343 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 61 chance for property crime. Knoxville has lower crime than 56% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Knoxville is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. Approximately 72% of the city's 36 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Whittington Creek is one of the safest areas, while Five Points has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Knoxville is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Knoxville are Whittington Creek, Timberlake, Lakemoor Hills, Island Home, and University of Tennessee. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Knoxville include Five Points, Morningside, Park City, Burlington, and Parkridge. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Knoxville is 291.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 24% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 343 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.8 per 100K (24% below average); aggravated assault at 210.0 per 100K (22% below average); robbery at 54.3 per 100K (27% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Knoxville is 1,632.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 11% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 61 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 211.2 per 100K (22% below average); larceny/theft at 1,164.9 per 100K (17% below average); vehicle theft at 256.1 per 100K (20% below average).

Knoxville's overall crime rate is 25% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (17% below average), while rape is 31% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Knoxville has lower crime than 56% of them.

Knoxville is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 11% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Whittington Creek, Timberlake, Lakemoor Hills.

Tennessee as a whole has crime that is 10% above the national average. Knoxville's crime rate is 25% below the national average, making it safer the typical Tennessee city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Knoxville, with an estimated rate of 1,164.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 17% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,632 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (291 per 100K) in Knoxville, which is consistent with national trends.