Nashville’s overall crime numbers are trending in the right direction for prospective renters, down 20% year over year, according to Metro Nashville Police data. But citywide stats don’t tell you much about the block you’re about to sign a lease on.
The tricky part is that safety data can easily be misread. A “D” citywide rating might sound alarming until you learn that it’s roughly in line with most major U.S. metros. What’s more important is how individual neighborhoods stack up against one another.
Here’s what the data says about the safest neighborhoods for Nashville renters right now, as well as what day-to-day life looks like in each one.
The safest Nashville neighborhoods for renters in 2026 include Green Hills, Hillsboro West End, Charlotte Park, Inglewood, and The Gulch, according to CrimeGrade.
We’ll dig more into what goes into that rating in the individual neighborhood sections below.
Trying to score an apartment that’s in a safe, walkable, and inexpensive neighborhood that also fits your vibe can be tricky.
Apartment List’s Renter Quiz helps you compare apartments by budget, commute, must-have amenities, and neighborhood feel.
| Neighborhood | Average 1BR Rent (Apartment List Rent Index) | Average 2BR Rent (Apartment List Rent Index) | Safety Score(CrimeGrade.org) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Gulch | $2,361 | $3,589 | C, safer than 40% of neighborhoods | Renters looking for newer apartments and premium downtown energy |
| Green Hills | $2,270 | $3,599 | C, safer than 40% of neighborhoods | Renters in search of a higher-end, more established residential neighborhood |
| Charlotte Park | $1,300 | $1,950 | C, safer than 39% of neighborhoods | West-side renters who want the residential vibe without the luxury cost |
| Hillsboro West End | $1,981 | $2,807 | C-, safer than 34% of neighborhoods | Vanderbilt and Belmont renters who want great walkability and access to campus |
| Inglewood | $1,504 | $1,770 | D+, safer than 29% of neighborhoods | Renters who want the character of East Nashville without having to rent in Five Points |
Best for: Renters who want newer apartments, walkability, restaurants, and downtown energy
The Gulch is the safest neighborhood on our list by just a sliver. It also happens to be the most urban one, which is pretty unusual, considering most neighborhoods near downtown areas typically have higher crime rates.
You’re right between Downtown and SoBro, where you’ll find newer apartments alongside hotels, restaurants, rooftop bars, gyms, coffee, shopping, and local events. You can’t go wrong at Biscuit Love on a Sunday morning.
With a Walk Score of 76, it’s a great place to live if you’re looking for walkability and want to take advantage of all the energy of the city without living directly on Broadway.
Best for: Renters who want to enjoy a quieter, upscale lifestyle without moving out into the burbs
Green Hills is one of the safest Nashville picks and arguably the most sought-after area in the city. Even though it’s more residential, there’s still plenty to do. You’ve got the Mall at Green Hills, Hill Center, Parnassus Books, Green Hills Park, and the world-famous Bluebird Cafe all nearby.
The tradeoff is price and traffic.
Rent is pretty high compared to the Nashville one-bedroom average of $1,736, and Hillsboro Pike can be a slog, making even quick errands feel like a test of patience.
But if you’re looking for a lower-crime area with tons of great shopping, restaurants, public parks, and a more family-focused crowd, it’s a great choice.
Best for: West-side renters who want a relaxing residential vibe without Green Hills prices
Charlotte Park is an affordable choice for renters who want to be in a safe West Nashville neighborhood with a slower pace of life than The Nations.
The neighborhood is mostly residential, so expect a more low-key vibe than nearby Sylvan Park. However, you still get Rock Harbor Marina close by, and easy access to I-40 when you need to get into another part of town. Plus, you’re a short drive away from The Nations’ breweries and restaurants, which is nice when you want a night out.
With a Walk Score of 32, Charlotte Park is pretty car-dependent. But it’s also close to everything and has enough amenities that you’ll never feel like you’re in a desert.
Best for: Vanderbilt and Belmont University renters who want walkability and easy access to campus
If you like a low-car lifestyle, you’ll love Hillsboro-West End. Vanderbilt and Belmont Universities, 21st Avenue, the Belcourt Theatre, Dragon Park, coffee shops, restaurants, and everyday errands are all within walking distance. For Nashville, that’s a pretty rare setup.
The catch is that you’re paying for location. The area is pretty active, so if you’re looking for a quiet suburban feel, you won’t find it in Hillsboro-West End. There are students, hospital traffic, tailgates on the weekends, and plenty of people moving through. It’s nowhere near the high-octane energy of downtown or Midtown, but it’s central, which makes it a popular spot.
Overall, if you want a safe central neighborhood where you can walk to class, coffee, or dinner without a second thought, Hillsboro-West End earns its keep.
Best for: Renters who want all the best parts of East Nashville without renting in Five Points
Inglewood puts you on the East Side without dropping you into a crowded restaurant and bar pocket. You get access to Gallatin Pike, Riverside Village, Mitchell Delicatessen, Village Pub, Inglewood Lounge, and nearby Shelby Bottoms Greenway, plus enough local food options to keep you from defaulting to the same three spots every weekend.
In terms of safety, it’s a bit more mixed than Green Hills, the Gulch, or Charlotte Park, so you really have to look street-by-street. Some areas feel more residential and neighborly, while others, especially those that are close to busy stretches and larger roads, have more activity at night.
If you're willing to trade a longer commute for extra square footage and a more residential feel, these nearby suburbs are worth a look.
Nolensville: This fast-growing small town is built around a historic Main Street corridor, with a farmers market, rolling farmland views, and an overall crime grade of B+ (safer than 75% of U.S. cities).
Belle Meade: Known for mansions, Percy Warner Park, and its own dedicated police force, this suburb is one of the lowest-crime areas near Nashville, if you can stomach the price tag.
Franklin: A relatively walkable, boutique-filled historic downtown and Civil War history with newer master-planned subdivisions on its outskirts, Franklin carries a C- crime grade (safer than 36% of U.S. cities).
Brentwood: This upscale bedroom community is known for large lots, gated subdivisions, and top-ranked schools, with a D+ crime grade (safer than 25% of U.S. cities) driven mostly by property crime.
To find the safest neighborhoods in Nashville, we compared violent crime and property crime across Nashville neighborhoods, then checked those numbers against Apartment List’s rent data to give you an idea of which areas have the best safety value for the price.
| Crime Category | Approx. Anual Odds | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Total property crime | 1 in 50 | Mostly theft, vehicle theft, and burglary |
| Total violent crime | 1 in 176 | Less common, but still important to compare by neighborhood |
You’re more likely to be a victim of theft than any other crime in Nashville, and even then, the chances are only 1 in 57 residents in the northern part of the city and 1 in 132 residents in the southern part.
If your soul left your body a little bit while looking at average rent prices for The Gulch or Green Hills, no worries! You’ve got options. Charlotte Park is already a solid value pick on this list, with the average one-bedroom rent at $1,300, but if you want to push the budget even lower, we recommend comparing nearby choices in our cheapest neighborhoods in Nashville guide.
The Gulch and Hillsboro-West End are the best bets if you don’t want to use your car every day.
The Gulch is the most walkable for day-to-day errands, especially if you live near Division Street or 11th Avenue. It has an overall Walk Score of 76, which is pretty incredible compared to Nashville’s overall Walk Score of 29. Just note that the Walk Score can vary pretty widely depending on which part of the neighborhood you’re in. Hillsboro-West End is the other strong pick, especially around Vanderbilt, Belmont, 21st Avenue, and Hillsboro Village. The Walk Score is listed at 74.
The answer to that really depends on where you need to go.
The Gulch is best if you work downtown or near Music Row. Hillsboro-West End is better for people commuting to Vanderbilt, Belmont, and West End. Green Hills works well if your routine points toward Lipscomb, Belle Meade, or the west side, though you might have to deal with heavy congestion on Hillsboro Pike.
Charlotte Park is better for west-side commuters who need access to I-40 and Charlotte Avenue, while Inglewood is the East Nashville option on this list.
To check block-level safety, the Nashville Police Department recommends checking the apartment address on CrimeMapping.com.
Before signing a lease, you should also check:
| What to Check | Why It’s Important |
|---|---|
| Local crime maps | Shows recent activity near the exact address |
| Building reviews (often found on Google or Yelp) | Renters will usually mention break-ins or package theft |
| Parking setup (best checked in-person) | Gated, well-lit parking can make a big difference |
| Package security (ask the property manager) | Theft is one of the most common types of crime in Nashville |
| Lighting (best checked in-person) | Gives an idea of safety at night |
| Entry access (ask the property manager) | Look for controlled access, working locks, and secure doors |
As a safety-conscious renter, you’re probably doing a lot of research. But after a while, every map, review, and listing can start to blur together.
Apartment List’s Renter Quiz matches you with Nashville apartments based on your budget, commute, amenities, and neighborhood preferences, so you can compare listings faster, save the ones that you like, and spend less time doomscrolling through apartments that were never right for you in the first place.
Charlotte Park has the lowest average one-bedroom rent on this list at $1,300. It’s a solid fit for renters who want to enjoy the peace and quiet of West Nashville without paying Gulch, Green Hills, or Hillsboro-West End prices.
The Gulch is the closest option on this list if you want to be near downtown, SoBro, Music Row, and central Nashville nightlife. It’s also the most expensive neighborhood here, so know that you’re paying for that level of access.
The safest Nashville neighborhoods for renters in 2026 include The Gulch, Green Hills, Charlotte Park, Hillsboro-West End, and Inglewood. The Gulch has the lowest total crime rate, earning a C rating, making it safer than 40% of the city’s neighborhoods, with Green Hills trailing just slightly behind.
Green Hills and Charlotte Park are two popular options for renters who want a more residential feel. Green Hills, in particular, has an A-rating for public schools.
Hillsboro-West End is the best fit for most students since it’s so close to Vanderbilt, Belmont, 21st Avenue, Dragon Park, and the Belcourt Theatre.
Inglewood is one of the safest neighborhoods on the East Side. However, even though it has a relatively low total crime rate, it’s worth looking at the area block-by-block to make sure the rental you’re looking at is in a good spot
We used the most up-to-date crime and rent data as of June 2026. Of course, crime data changes over time, so we still recommend checking recent crime maps and building reviews before you sign a lease.
Patio / balcony, Hardwood floors, Dishwasher, Pet friendly, Garage, Gym + more
In unit laundry, Golf room, Pet friendly, 24hr maintenance, Garage, Stainless steel + more
