Is Athens or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Athens is safer than New York City (Safety Score 72/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,060 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 65% lower. Athens has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Athens has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 330.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Athens — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Athens, OH
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Athens | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,059.6 | 3,039.7 | -1,980.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 95.6 | 671.4 | -575.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 12.0 | 23.4 | -11.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 15.9 | 187.5 | -171.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 67.7 | 456.2 | -388.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 964.0 | 2,368.3 | -1,404.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 87.6 | 154.7 | -67.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 812.6 | 2,015.0 | -1,202.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 63.7 | 198.5 | -134.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Athens or New York City safer?
Athens is safer with a total crime rate of 1,060 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Athens has a violent crime rate of 95.6 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Athens has lower violent crime.
About Athens, OH
Athens, Ohio, home to Ohio University, is nestled in the Appalachian foothills. This college town, with a population around 25,000, boasts a rich history, once serving as a stop on the Underground Railroad. With a safety score of 72/100 and a population coverage of 25,104, Athens has a total crime rate of 1,059.6 per 100,000 residents.
About New York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 per 100,000 residents.