Tennessee residents, visitors and anyone considering a move to Memphis often ask the same question: Is Memphis safe today? Memphis has undergone major shifts in crime trends over the past few years, and understanding the latest numbers is essential for getting a clear and realistic picture of what to expect in 2026.
In this guide, we break down the latestĀ Memphis crime rateĀ data, compare the city to others across Tennessee and the rest of the United States, and highlight which neighborhoods are considered safer than others. Youāll also find practical safety tips for both living in and visiting Memphis. Dive in now!
What Is the Latest Memphis Crime Rate?
Memphisās full 2024 crime dataset reveals one of the highest crime levels in the United States. With a population of 613,207, the city recorded 15,338 violent crimes and 42,305 property crimes, far exceeding national averages for similarly sized metros. These figures highlight long-standing challenges with both serious violent offenses and widespread theft-related incidents.
Per capita, the severity becomes even more apparent. Memphis reports a violent crime rate of about 2,501 incidents per 100,000 residents, placing it among the highest in the nation. Its property crime rate of roughly 6,899 per 100,000 is also exceptionally elevated, driven in large part by burglary, larceny, and especially vehicle theft.
A closer look at offense categories underscores the scale: 249 murders, 429 rapes, 2,138 robberies, and 12,522 aggravated assaults were reported in 2024. Property crimes included 5,616 burglaries, 26,978 thefts, 9,711 auto thefts, and 343 arsons. High volumes of aggravated assaults and motor-vehicle thefts play a major role in Memphisās ranking as one of the most crime-affected cities in the country.
How Does Memphisās Crime Rate Compare to Other U.S. Cities?
The Memphis Tennessee crime rateĀ standsĀ out sharply when compared with other major U.S. cities, placing it near the top nationally for both violent and property crime.
National Ranking Overview
- Exceptionally high total crime volume:Memphis reported 15,338 violent crimes and 42,305 property crimes in 2024, substantially higher than most cities of similar size.
- Violent crime among the highest in the country:The violent crime rate of 2,501 per 100,000 residents ranks above roughly 99.8% of all cities in the dataset, positioning Memphis in the top tier for violent offenses.
- Property crime also extremely elevated: With a property crime rate of 6,899 per 100,000, Memphis exceeds about 99% of U.S. cities, highlighting widespread burglary, theft, and auto theft.
Comparison with Similar Cities
Among cities with comparable populations like Detroit, Portland, Baltimore, and Milwaukee, Memphis consistently shows the highest violent crime totals and rates.
- Detroit, despite being slightly larger, recorded 11,599 violent crimes, far fewer than Memphisās 15,338.
- In property crime, Portland reported 34,432, Baltimore 23,555, and Milwaukee 15,135, all significantly below Memphisās 42,305.
- Across categories such as murder, aggravated assault, larceny, and vehicle theft, Memphis outpaces all four cities, making it the most crime-affected metro in this comparison group..
How Does Memphisās Crime Rate Compare to Other Tennessee Cities?
Compared with other Tennessee cities,Ā theĀ Memphis, TN, crime rateĀ is a clear outlier. The cityās violent crime rate of about 2,501 per 100,000 residents and property crime rate of 6,899 per 100,000 make it the highest-crime large city in the state by a wide margin.
Major Tennessee metros such as Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga all report significantly lower crime levels. Nashvilleās violent crime rate is around 1,124 per 100,000, less than half of Memphisās, while its property crime rate of 4,510 per 100,000 remains far below Memphis. Knoxville shows an even larger gap, with violent crime near 740 and property crime around 2,721 per 100,000. Chattanooga follows similar trends at approximately 824 violent incidents and 3,942 property crimes per 100,000.
While these cities still face crime challenges, all remain markedly safer than Memphis. The data confirms that Memphisās crime levels stand far above other Tennessee communities and heavily influence the stateās overall crime landscape.
Which Memphis Neighborhoods Are the Safest &Ā Which to Watch?
Is Memphis, TN, safeĀ in some areas, though?
The answer is yes. Safety varies widely across Memphis, and several neighborhoods consistently rank as calmer, lower-crime areas. Cordova, East Memphis, Germantown, and Collierville stand out for their suburban layout, active community involvement and steady policing. These areas tend to offer quieter streets, fewer disturbances and a more predictable environment for families, professionals and long-term residents.
In contrast, neighborhoods such as South Memphis, Frayser, Raleigh, and parts of Orange Mound report significantly higher levels of violent and property crime. These communities often face economic challenges, aging infrastructure and fewer commercial resources, all of which contribute to higher crime activity. While improvement efforts exist, these areas frequently rank above the city average in assaults, thefts and auto-related offenses.
How to Live or Visit Safely in Memphis
To ensure you feel secure while living in or exploring Memphis, it helps to combine awareness with a few practical habits. Here are clear, reliable tips to help residents and visitors move confidently throughout Memphis.
Living Safety Tips
- Install security cameras
Install security camerasĀ to monitor entrances, deter break-ins and receive real-time alertsāespecially helpful in neighborhoods with higher theft activity.
A great option is the eufyCam S4, which offers 4K clarity, PTZ control, continuous 24/7 recording and BionicMindā¢ AI Recognition capable of identifying faces, license plates and more for smarter, more reliable home security. You can also opt for the eufy PoE NVR Security System S4 Max for expanded storage, multi-camera support and a fully integrated surveillance setup.
For indoor monitoring, consider the eufy Indoor Cam S350. It delivers sharp 4K UHD video, enhanced by smart AI detection and full 360Ā° pan-and-tilt coverage. Installation is simple, making it an excellent choice for reliable, whole-room visibility and peace of mind.
- Reinforce home entry points
Add motion lights and video doorbells. Small upgrades provide strong protection against burglary.
The eufy Video Doorbell E340Ā is an excellent option, offering battery power, dual 2K cameras, instant notifications and reliable two-way audioāmaking it a powerful tool for monitoring your doorway and deterring potential intruders.
- Secure your vehicle carefully
Auto theft is common. Always lock doors, remove valuables, use a steering-wheel lock and park in well-lit areas when possible.
- Stay aware when outdoors at night
Choose bright, busy streets and avoid shortcuts through alleys or low-visibility areas.
- Get involved locally
Follow neighborhood watch pages, community groups and local alerts to stay informed about trends and incidents near your home.
Visiting Safety Tips
- Stay alert in high-traffic districts.Areas like Downtown, Beale Street and parts of Midtown can see more theftākeep bags closed and valuables out of view.
- Choose accommodation in safer areas.Neighborhoods such as East Memphis, Germantown and Cordova offer more secure environments for travelers.
- Be mindful on public transit. Keep belongings close, avoid displaying expensive items and stay aware of your surroundings.
- Protect rental vehicles.Store all items in the trunk before parking, not after. Even empty bags can attract break-ins.
- Use well-lit routes at night.Whether heading to restaurants, bars or your hotel, stick to busy, visible streets.
Conclusion
Is Memphis Tennessee safe? As we have seen, the Memphis crime rateĀ remains one of the highest among major U.S. cities, with elevated levels of both violent and property offenses shaping the cityās overall safety landscape. However, this does not mean you are powerless. By taking practical measures, such as investing in individual security cameras, video doorbells,Ā or the more comprehensive eufy ExpertSecure System, you can significantly reduce risk and navigate Memphis with greater confidence.
FAQs
What is Memphis ranked in crime?
Memphis ranks among the highest-crime major cities in the United States. Its 2024 violent and property crime rates exceeded those of roughly 99% of U.S. cities in the dataset, placing it near the very top nationally for overall crime severity.
Is Memphis safer than Nashville?
No. Nashville has significantly lower crime levels, with violent and property crime rates often half of Memphisās per-capita figures. While Nashville still faces challenges, it remains noticeably safer overall and does not approach Memphisās extreme crime volume or intensity.
Is Memphis or Detroit safer?
Detroit is safer based on the 2024 crime dataset. Although Detroit is known for high crime, its 2024 violent and property crime totals remain lower than Memphisās, even with a larger population.
What part of Memphis to stay away from?
Areas with higher crime concentrations include South Memphis, Frayser, Raleigh and parts of Orange Mound. These neighborhoods report elevated levels of violent crime, theft and auto break-ins, so visitors should stay alert or choose safer areas like East Memphis or Cordova.
