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New Orleans vs Memphis: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

New Orleans has a crime rate of 39.5 per 1,000 residents vs Memphis's 74 per 1,000, making New Orleans 47% safer overall. New Orleans earns a D- safety grade compared to Memphis's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

D-

New Orleans

Louisiana

Overall GradeD-
Violent CrimeD
Property CrimeD
Crime Rate39.5/1K
Percentile14%
F

Memphis

Tennessee

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricNew OrleansMemphis
Overall Crime Rate39.5/1K74/1K
Violent Crime Rate750.01900.0
Property Crime Rate3200.05500.0
Murder Rate10.527.9
Assault Rate586.01402.4
Robbery Rate113.2312.8
Burglary Rate389.9763.2
Theft Rate2411.34760.5
Vehicle Theft Rate647.61296.8

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, New Orleans is safer in 9 and Memphis is safer in 0.

Victim Odds Comparison

In New Orleans, you have a 1 in 25 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 14 in Memphis.

Full Safety Reports

D-
New Orleans, Louisiana Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
F
Memphis, Tennessee Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: New Orleans vs Memphis

New Orleans Climate Overview

Annual High78.4°F
Annual Low60.8°F
Annual Rain64.1"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months7
Best MonthOctober
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarm

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

Monthly Temperature Comparison

New OrleansMemphisHigh/Low °F range
40°60°80°100°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Both cities have similar summer temperatures, but Memphis is 13°F colder in winter than New Orleans. Memphis gets 3 inches of snow annually, while New Orleans rarely sees any. New Orleans is wetter with 64" of annual rain compared to 52". New Orleans has more comfortable weather months (7 vs 4).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is New Orleans safer than Memphis?
As of 2026, New Orleans is 47% safer overall, with a crime rate of 39.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Memphis's 74. New Orleans earns a D- safety grade vs Memphis's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, New Orleans or Memphis?
Memphis has more violent crime at 1900 per 100,000 residents. New Orleans is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in New Orleans vs Memphis?
New Orleans has a crime rate of 39.5 per 1,000 (violent: 750/100K, property: 3200/100K). Memphis has 74 per 1,000 (violent: 1900/100K, property: 5500/100K).
Should I move to New Orleans or Memphis?
From a safety perspective, New Orleans has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. New Orleans (pop. 362,154) and Memphis (pop. 609,647) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. New Orleans's D- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do New Orleans and Memphis compare for property crime?
New Orleans has lower property crime at 3200 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 Detroit

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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