Is Cleveland or Nashville Metro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cleveland is safer than Nashville Metro (Safety Score 22/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,837 per 100,000 versus 5,634 for Nashville Metro — 50% lower. Cleveland has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cleveland has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Nashville Metro is 14.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cleveland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Nashville Metro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, TN
Nashville Metro, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Nashville Metro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,837.4 | 5,633.6 | -2,796.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 452.7 | 1,124.1 | -671.4 |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 14.6 | -10.6 |
| Rape Rate | 18.2 | 72.0 | -53.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 62.7 | 154.9 | -92.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 367.8 | 882.6 | -514.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,384.7 | 4,509.5 | -2,124.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 272.8 | 442.5 | -169.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,962.3 | 3,344.4 | -1,382.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 149.6 | 722.6 | -573.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Nashville Metro safer?
Cleveland is safer with a total crime rate of 2,837 per 100K vs 5,634 for Nashville Metro — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 452.7 per 100K while Nashville Metro has 1,124.1. Cleveland has lower violent crime.
About Cleveland, TN
Cleveland, Tennessee, a city named for Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, sits in Bradley County at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It's home to Lee University, a prominent Church of God institution. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 49,482, Cleveland has a total crime rate of 2,837.4 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.