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Athens, TN vs Chattanooga, TN Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Athens crime rate · Chattanooga crime rate

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Is Athens, TN or Chattanooga, TN Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Athens, TN is safer than Chattanooga, TN (Safety Score 7/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 4,288 per 100,000 versus 4,767 for Chattanooga, TN — 10% lower. Athens has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Athens has a 50% lower rate.

Note: Chattanooga is 12.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Athens, TN?

Athens — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Chattanooga — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Athens, TN

Safety Score 7/100
Coverage 14,949
Total Crime Rate 4,287.9
Category Wins 5/7

Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga, TN
Safety Score 4/100
Coverage 188,894
Total Crime Rate 4,766.7
Category Wins 2/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Athens Chattanooga Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,287.9 4,766.7 -478.8
Violent Crime Rate 622.1 824.3 -202.2
Murder Rate 6.7 12.7 -6.0
Rape Rate 33.5 91.1 -57.6
Robbery Rate 46.8 93.7 -46.9
Aggravated Assault Rate 535.2 626.3 -91.1
Property Crime Rate 3,665.8 3,942.4 -276.6
Burglary Rate 434.8 379.6 +55.2
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,930.0 2,896.3 +33.6
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 301.0 666.5 -365.5

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Athens, TN to Chattanooga, TN?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Athens or Chattanooga safer?

Athens, TN is safer with a total crime rate of 4,288 per 100K vs 4,767 for Chattanooga, TN — a 10% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Athens has a violent crime rate of 622.1 per 100K while Chattanooga has 824.3. Athens has lower violent crime.

About Athens, TN

Athens, nestled in McMinn County, is home to Tennessee Wesleyan University, founded in 1857. This small city in East Tennessee sits amidst the Appalachian foothills, reflecting a blend of academic heritage and rural charm. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 14,949, Athens has a total crime rate of 4,287.9 per 100,000 residents.

About Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga, nestled along the Tennessee River with Lookout Mountain forming part of its scenic backdrop, was a pivotal Civil War battleground. This mid-sized city boasts a diverse population exceeding 180,000 residents in its metropolitan area. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 188,894, Chattanooga has a total crime rate of 4,766.7 per 100,000 residents.

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