Is Houston or Nashville Metro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Houston is safer than Nashville Metro (Safety Score 3/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 5,442 per 100,000 versus 5,634 for Nashville Metro — 3% lower. Houston has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Nashville Metro has a 43% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 3.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Nashville Metro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Nashville Metro, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Nashville Metro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 5,633.6 | -191.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 1,124.1 | +24.2 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 14.6 | -0.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 72.0 | +1.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 154.9 | +119.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 882.6 | -95.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 4,509.5 | -216.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 442.5 | +202.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 3,344.4 | -398.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 722.6 | -19.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Nashville Metro safer?
Houston is safer with a total crime rate of 5,442 per 100K vs 5,634 for Nashville Metro — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Nashville Metro has 1,124.1. Nashville Metro has lower violent crime.
About Houston, TX
Houston, the "Space City," is a sprawling metropolis in Southeast Texas, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Its diverse population makes it one of the most multicultural cities in the U.S., with significant Hispanic and Asian communities. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 2,319,160, Houston has a total crime rate of 5,441.7 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.