Is Chattanooga or Roanoke City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Roanoke City is safer than Chattanooga (Safety Score 5/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 4,676 per 100,000 versus 4,767 for Chattanooga — 2% lower. Chattanooga has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Roanoke City has a 25% lower rate.
Chattanooga — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Roanoke City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chattanooga, TN
Roanoke City, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chattanooga | Roanoke City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,766.7 | 4,676.0 | +90.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 824.3 | 620.5 | +203.8 |
| Murder Rate | 12.7 | 11.3 | +1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 91.1 | 86.6 | +4.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 93.7 | 92.8 | +0.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 626.3 | 429.8 | +196.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,942.4 | 4,055.6 | -113.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 379.6 | 387.5 | -7.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,896.3 | 3,273.3 | -377.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 666.5 | 394.7 | +271.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chattanooga or Roanoke City safer?
Roanoke City is safer with a total crime rate of 4,676 per 100K vs 4,767 for Chattanooga — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chattanooga has a violent crime rate of 824.3 per 100K while Roanoke City has 620.5. Roanoke City 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 Roanoke City, VA
Roanoke, Virginia, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is known as the "Star City" for its illuminated mountain star. This independent city serves as a regional hub for southwest Virginia, with a diverse population of around 100,000 residents. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 97,027, Roanoke City has a total crime rate of 4,676.0 per 100,000 residents.