Chattanooga, TN Crime Rate & Safety

Chattanooga, TN has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 23% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 212 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 38 chance for property crime. Chattanooga has higher crime than 80% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Chattanooga has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C. Approximately 76% of the city's 25 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Lookout Valley / Lookout Mountain is one of the safest areas, while Bushtown / Highland Park has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Chattanooga is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Chattanooga are Lookout Valley / Lookout Mountain, Westview / Mountain Shadows, East Brainerd, Lupton City / Norcross, and Riverview / Stuart Heights. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Chattanooga include Bushtown / Highland Park, Downtown Chattanooga, Ridgedale / Oak Grove / Clifton Hills, Amnicola / East Chattanooga, and Glenwood / Eastdale. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Chattanooga is 471.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 24% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 212 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.2 per 100K (24% above average); aggravated assault at 340.6 per 100K (27% above average); robbery at 86.9 per 100K (18% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in Chattanooga is 2,647.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 45% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 38 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 320.0 per 100K (19% above average); larceny/theft at 1,912.8 per 100K (36% above average); vehicle theft at 414.9 per 100K (30% above average).

Chattanooga's overall crime rate is 23% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (36% above average), while rape is 12% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Chattanooga has higher crime than 80% of them.

Visitors to Chattanooga should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 45% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Lookout Valley / Lookout Mountain, Westview / Mountain Shadows, East Brainerd.

Tennessee as a whole has crime that is 10% above the national average. Chattanooga's crime rate is 23% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Tennessee city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Chattanooga, with an estimated rate of 1,912.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 36% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,648 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (471 per 100K) in Chattanooga, which is consistent with national trends.