Is Columbia or Nashville Metro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbia is safer than Nashville Metro (Safety Score 19/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,060 per 100,000 versus 5,634 for Nashville Metro — 46% lower. Columbia has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Columbia has a 79% lower rate.
Note: Nashville Metro is 14.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Columbia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Nashville Metro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, TN
Nashville Metro, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia | Nashville Metro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,060.3 | 5,633.6 | -2,573.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 573.2 | 1,124.1 | -550.9 |
| Murder Rate | 12.2 | 14.6 | -2.4 |
| Rape Rate | 52.7 | 72.0 | -19.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 32.4 | 154.9 | -122.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 476.0 | 882.6 | -406.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,487.1 | 4,509.5 | -2,022.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 923.6 | 442.5 | +481.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,403.6 | 3,344.4 | -1,940.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 160.0 | 722.6 | -562.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia or Nashville Metro safer?
Columbia is safer with a total crime rate of 3,060 per 100K vs 5,634 for Nashville Metro — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia has a violent crime rate of 573.2 per 100K while Nashville Metro has 1,124.1. Columbia has lower violent crime.
About Columbia, TN
Columbia, the "Dimple of the Universe," is a historic Southern city known for its Antebellum architecture and as the birthplace of James K. Polk. Situated on the Duck River in Maury County, it's a growing community of over 40,000 residents. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 49,374, Columbia has a total crime rate of 3,060.3 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.