| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Memphis/100k people | Tennessee/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 57,643 | n/a (estimate) | 9,400 | 2,624 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 249 | n/a | 40.6 | 7.9 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 429 | n/a | 70.0 | 37.4 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 2,138 | n/a | 348.7 | 58.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 12,522 | n/a | 2,042.1 | 488.6 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 15,338 | n/a (estimate) | 2,501 | 592 | 359 |
| Burglary | 5,616 | n/a | 915.8 | 251.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 26,978 | n/a | 4,399.5 | 1,443.6 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 9,711 | n/a | 1,583.6 | 336.7 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 42,305 | n/a (estimate) | 6,899 | 2,032 | 1,760 |
Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Memphis crime rate is higher than the national average by 343.6%. Specifically, there were 15338 violent crimes in Memphis, equivalent to 2501 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 596.5%. Furthermore, Memphis recorded 42305 property crimes, amounting to 6899 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 292%.
In Memphis, the crime rate stands at 9400 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 343.58%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Memphis that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.
Memphis has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 2501 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Memphis falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 40 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.
Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Memphis has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 249 murders in Memphis, which is 41 murders per 100,000 people.
Memphis faces some of the nation's most elevated property crime rates, recording 6899 incidents per 100,000 people. This places the city among the worst 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Regrettably, the likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Memphis stands at 1 in 15, significantly surpassing the national average. These statistics underscore the imperative need for bolstered community safety measures to mitigate property crimes and enhance the well-being of its residents.
The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and Memphis faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 9711 vehicle thefts, translating to 1584 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Memphis in the bottom 10% among all cities, signifying that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The likelihood of experiencing a vehicle theft is 1 in 64.
What do the local residents think about crime in Memphis? Well, based on a recent survey of 477 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 16% of Memphis residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 84% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if Memphis is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Memphis has a total crime rate that is 344% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 157.93 daily crimes (42.02 violent daily crimes and 115.9 daily property crimes) in Memphis.
Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Memphis crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Memphis has increased by 15.1% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 2.8% and property crime has increased by 23.4%.
Memphis is a large urban city with at least 13 distinct neighborhoods. As a result, crime rates will differ dramatically from one neighborhood to the next. Typically, high density neighborhoods that are located close to the city center, experience more crime than neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city. Some of the safest neighborhoods in Memphis include: Cordova-Appling, River Oaks-Kirby-Balmoral and Eads-Fisherville. Some neighborhoods that have a higher number of reported crime that you might want to avoid include: Downtown, Parkway Village-Oakhaven and Berclair-Highland Heights.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Memphis crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Memphis has an unemployment rate of 5.7%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.
Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Memphis, the cost of living is 15.35% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Memphis, the average rental rates are $1,358 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Memphis | Tennessee | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 2,826 | 11,551 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 4.3 | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Tennessee /100K | National /100K |
| Tennessee | 24,578 | 412 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Lynchburg, MS | 2,272 | 54 | 353 | 407 |
| Walls, MS | 1,451 | 77 | 499 | 576 |
| Clarkedale, AR | 507 | 234 | 780 | 1,014 |
| Horn Lake, MS | 28,196 | 110 | 1,399 | 1,509 |
| Bartlett, TN | 61,391 | 250 | 1,283 | 1,533 |
| Olive Branch, MS | 39,759 | 199 | 1,359 | 1,558 |
| Southaven, MS | 57,133 | 304 | 2,025 | 2,329 |
| Memphis, TN | 674,455 | 2,501 | 6,899 | 9,400 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Portland, OR | 675,307 | 720 | 5,526 | 6,246 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 671,652 | 676 | 2,893 | 3,569 |
| Las Vegas, NV | 662,341 | 430 | 2,623 | 3,053 |
| Nashville, TN | 692,022 | 1,124 | 4,510 | 5,634 |
| Detroit, MI | 692,044 | 1,781 | 4,305 | 6,087 |
| Memphis, TN | 674,455 | 2,501 | 6,899 | 9,400 |
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