Is Johnson City or Nashville Metro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Johnson City is safer than Nashville Metro (Safety Score 24/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,707 per 100,000 versus 5,634 for Nashville Metro — 52% lower. Johnson City has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Johnson City has a 78% lower rate.
Note: Nashville Metro is 9.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Johnson City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Nashville Metro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Johnson City, TN
Nashville Metro, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Johnson City | Nashville Metro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,707.4 | 5,633.6 | -2,926.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 404.9 | 1,124.1 | -719.2 |
| Murder Rate | 5.4 | 14.6 | -9.2 |
| Rape Rate | 75.6 | 72.0 | +3.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.7 | 154.9 | -121.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 287.5 | 882.6 | -595.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,302.5 | 4,509.5 | -2,207.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 203.8 | 442.5 | -238.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,924.6 | 3,344.4 | -1,419.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 174.1 | 722.6 | -548.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Johnson City or Nashville Metro safer?
Johnson City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,707 per 100K vs 5,634 for Nashville Metro — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Johnson City has a violent crime rate of 404.9 per 100K while Nashville Metro has 1,124.1. Johnson City has lower violent crime.
About Johnson City, TN
Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Johnson City is a regional hub with a vibrant downtown, home to East Tennessee State University. It's known for its role in the early country music scene. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 74,093, Johnson City has a total crime rate of 2,707.4 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.