Austin, Nashville, Denver, Seattle & Miami Compared by Data (2026)

Among five of America's fastest-growing metros, Austin, Texas leads on the NeighborScore average. Across its ZIP codes Austin averages 53 overall, ahead of Denver at 48, Miami at 47, Seattle at 44, and Nashville at 35. But the headline number hides very different strengths and weaknesses, so it pays to read the components.

How to read these averages

The overall score blends crime (53%) and schools (47%); home value is shown separately as context and does not move it. Crime is scored against each ZIP's state average, so a metro's crime score compares it with its own state, not with the other cities here. The school component is the most directly comparable across states. With that caveat, the contrasts are still revealing.

Austin and Nashville: the Sun Belt split

Across 40 ZIP codes, Austin averages a 45 crime score and a group-best 62 school average, for a 53 overall. Austin homes run well above the Texas median, so its affordability score is just 31 — but that no longer weighs on the overall. Nashville, at 35 overall across 25 ZIPs, scores lower on both counted axes, with a 25 crime score reflecting higher reported crime than the Tennessee average and a 47 school average.

Denver, Seattle, and Miami

The middle of the pack clusters close together. Denver (48 overall, 27 ZIPs) edges out Miami (47, 26 ZIPs) and Seattle (44, 23 ZIPs). Miami and Seattle each post a 25 crime score relative to their states but lift their overalls with strong schools — Miami's 72 school average is the best of all five metros and Seattle's 66 is second. Denver's more balanced 45 crime and 52 schools lands it narrowly on top of this group.

Frequently asked questions

Why does Austin lead if its crime score is only average?

Austin's edge is schools, not safety. Its 45 crime score is middling, but its 62 school average is the highest in this group, and schools make up 47% of the overall. Crime is state-relative, so Austin's 45 reflects how it compares with the rest of Texas while Miami's 25 reflects Florida.

See the full methodology in how NeighborScore works. NeighborScore is a research tool; visit any metro before deciding to move.