Is Chattanooga or Nashville Metro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chattanooga is safer than Nashville Metro (Safety Score 4/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 4,767 per 100,000 versus 5,634 for Nashville Metro — 15% lower. Chattanooga has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Chattanooga has a 40% lower rate.
Note: Nashville Metro is 3.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chattanooga — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Nashville Metro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chattanooga, TN
Nashville Metro, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chattanooga | Nashville Metro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,766.7 | 5,633.6 | -866.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 824.3 | 1,124.1 | -299.8 |
| Murder Rate | 12.7 | 14.6 | -1.9 |
| Rape Rate | 91.1 | 72.0 | +19.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 93.7 | 154.9 | -61.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 626.3 | 882.6 | -256.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,942.4 | 4,509.5 | -567.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 379.6 | 442.5 | -62.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,896.3 | 3,344.4 | -448.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 666.5 | 722.6 | -56.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chattanooga or Nashville Metro safer?
Chattanooga is safer with a total crime rate of 4,767 per 100K vs 5,634 for Nashville Metro — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chattanooga has a violent crime rate of 824.3 per 100K while Nashville Metro has 1,124.1. Chattanooga has lower violent crime.
About Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga, nestled along the Tennessee River with Lookout Mountain forming part of its scenic backdrop, was a pivotal Civil War battleground. This mid-sized city boasts a diverse population exceeding 180,000 residents in its metropolitan area. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 188,894, Chattanooga has a total crime rate of 4,766.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Nashville Metro, TN
Nashville Metro, the "Music City," is home to the Grand Ole Opry and a growing population of over 700,000 across Davidson County. Situated on the Cumberland River, it serves as a major transportation hub and cultural center in Middle Tennessee. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 698,987, Nashville Metro has a total crime rate of 5,633.6 per 100,000 residents.