Is Memphis or Nashville Metro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Nashville Metro is safer than Memphis (Safety Score 2/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 5,634 per 100,000 versus 9,407 for Memphis — 40% lower. Memphis has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Nashville Metro has a 64% lower rate.
Memphis — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Nashville Metro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Memphis, TN
Nashville Metro, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Memphis | Nashville Metro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 9,406.9 | 5,633.6 | +3,773.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 2,508.0 | 1,124.1 | +1,383.9 |
| Murder Rate | 40.6 | 14.6 | +26.0 |
| Rape Rate | 70.0 | 72.0 | -2.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 348.7 | 154.9 | +193.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 2,042.1 | 882.6 | +1,159.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 6,899.0 | 4,509.5 | +2,389.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 915.8 | 442.5 | +473.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 4,399.5 | 3,344.4 | +1,055.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,583.6 | 722.6 | +861.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Memphis or Nashville Metro safer?
Nashville Metro is safer with a total crime rate of 5,634 per 100K vs 9,407 for Memphis — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Memphis has a violent crime rate of 2,508.0 per 100K while Nashville Metro has 1,124.1. Nashville Metro has lower violent crime.
About Memphis, TN
Memphis, a city on the Mississippi River, is the birthplace of the blues and a major hub for the music industry. Its population is predominantly African American, reflecting a rich cultural heritage and diverse community. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 613,207, Memphis has a total crime rate of 9,406.9 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.