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Athens, TN vs Chicago, IL Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Athens crime rate · Chicago crime rate

Moving from Athens, TN to Chicago, IL?

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Is Athens, TN or Chicago, IL Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago, IL is safer than Athens, TN (Safety Score 8/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,288 for Athens, TN — 6% lower. Athens has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Athens has a 86% lower rate.

Note: Chicago is 176.5x 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 SAFER than Athens, TN?

Athens — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Chicago — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Flat Total

Athens, TN

Safety Score 7/100
Coverage 14,949
Total Crime Rate 4,287.9
Category Wins 3/7

Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL
Safety Score 8/100
Coverage 2,638,698
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2
Category Wins 4/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Athens Chicago Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,287.9 4,012.2 +275.7
Violent Crime Rate 622.1 539.9 +82.3
Murder Rate 6.7 17.5 -10.8
Rape Rate 33.5 58.8 -25.3
Robbery Rate 46.8 335.3 -288.5
Aggravated Assault Rate 535.2 128.3 +406.8
Property Crime Rate 3,665.8 3,472.4 +193.4
Burglary Rate 434.8 294.8 +140.0
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,930.0 2,318.8 +611.2
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 301.0 858.9 -557.9

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

Moving from Athens, TN to Chicago, IL?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Athens or Chicago safer?

Chicago, IL is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,288 for Athens, TN — a 6% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Athens has a violent crime rate of 622.1 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago 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 Chicago, IL

Chicago, Illinois, a major Midwest hub and birthplace of the skyscraper, sits on Lake Michigan's shores. Its diverse population of over 2.7 million people contributes to its vibrant arts and culture scene. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 2,638,698, Chicago has a total crime rate of 4,012.2 per 100,000 residents.

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