Cities / Memphis / South Memphis vs Harbor Town
South Memphis vs Harbor Town: which is safer?
Harbor Town is the safer of the two — 89/100 against 28/100. Go. Harbor Town is widely considered one of the safest and most idyllic residential communities in the Memphis area, offering scenic riverfront walks and a peaceful village atmosphere. While vehicle break-ins occasionally occur here as they do across the metro, violent crime is exceedingly rare.
South Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
28
out of 100 · No-go after dark
South Memphis is a historic urban district world-famous as the cradle of American soul music and home to the Soulsville USA cultural corridor. Despite its rich musical legacy and beloved culinary staples, the area experiences severe economic disinvestment, high vacancy rates, and persistent safety challenges. Visitors primarily come for specific daytime cultural sites rather than general strolls.
- Walk score
- 48
- Bike score
- 42
Pros
- Home to world-class musical heritage including the Stax Museum of American Soul Music
- Iconic, long-standing soul food institutions celebrated across the South
- Active grassroots revitalization and cultural preservation efforts in Soulsville USA
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates are significantly higher than national and state averages
- High neighborhood poverty rate exceeding 35% alongside elevated residential vacancy and blight
- Frequent incidents of vehicular break-ins and opportunistic theft in unattended parking areas
Harbor Town
Memphis, Tennessee
89
out of 100 · Go
Situated on Mud Island along the Wolf River Harbor and Mississippi River, Harbor Town is an upscale, New Urbanist planned neighborhood featuring picturesque townhomes, leafy squares, and riverfront parks. It functions as a quiet residential sanctuary just minutes from the energy of Downtown Memphis.
- Walk score
- 58
- Bike score
- 68
Pros
- Violent crime rates are among the lowest in the entire Memphis metropolitan area
- High median household incomes exceeding $110,000 and very low residential vacancy
- Well-maintained private security patrols and a distinct island geography that deters thru-traffic crime
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like parked car break-ins near public parks
- Limited road connectivity with only one primary vehicular access point via the A.W. Willis Jr. Bridge
- Isolated from general commercial services, requiring a short drive into Downtown or Midtown for major retail