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Memphis vs Detroit: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Memphis has a crime rate of 74 per 1,000 residents vs Detroit's 55 per 1,000, making Detroit 26% safer overall. Detroit earns a F safety grade compared to Memphis's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

F

Memphis

Tennessee

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeF
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate74/1K
Percentile1%
F

Detroit

Michigan

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeF
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate55/1K
Percentile2%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricMemphisDetroit
Overall Crime Rate74/1K55/1K
Violent Crime Rate1900.01900.0
Property Crime Rate5500.03600.0
Murder Rate27.926.3
Assault Rate1402.41355.2
Robbery Rate312.8316.4
Burglary Rate763.2534.9
Theft Rate4760.52903.9
Vehicle Theft Rate1296.8387.8

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Memphis is safer in 1 and Detroit is safer in 7, with 1 tied.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Memphis, you have a 1 in 14 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 18 in Detroit.

Full Safety Reports

F
Memphis, Tennessee Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
F
Detroit, Michigan Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Memphis vs Detroit

Memphis Climate Overview

Annual High72.5°F
Annual Low53.4°F
Annual Rain52.1"
Annual Snow3.0"
Comfortable Months4
Best MonthMay
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Detroit Climate Overview

Annual High59.1°F
Annual Low41.4°F
Annual Rain33.7"
Annual Snow40.8"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

MemphisDetroitHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°100°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Memphis is 9°F warmer in summer than Detroit, but Detroit is 12°F colder in winter than Memphis. Detroit gets significantly more snow (41" vs 3"). Memphis is wetter with 52" of annual rain compared to 34". Detroit has more comfortable weather months (5 vs 4).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Memphis safer than Detroit?
As of 2026, Detroit is 26% safer overall, with a crime rate of 55 per 1,000 residents compared to Memphis's 74. Detroit earns a F safety grade vs Memphis's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Memphis or Detroit?
Detroit has more violent crime at 1900 per 100,000 residents. Memphis is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Memphis vs Detroit?
Memphis has a crime rate of 74 per 1,000 (violent: 1900/100K, property: 5500/100K). Detroit has 55 per 1,000 (violent: 1900/100K, property: 3600/100K).
Should I move to Memphis or Detroit?
From a safety perspective, Detroit has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Memphis (pop. 609,647) and Detroit (pop. 649,095) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Detroit's F safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Memphis and Detroit compare for property crime?
Detroit has lower property crime at 3600 per 100K vs Memphis's 5500. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Memphis vs St. LouisMemphis vs New OrleansDetroit vs ChicagoDetroit vs ClevelandDetroit vs St. Louis

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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