Is Covington or Louisville Metro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Covington is safer than Louisville Metro (Safety Score 43/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,923 per 100,000 versus 4,035 for Louisville Metro — 52% lower. Covington has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Covington has a 78% lower rate.
Note: Louisville Metro is 16.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Covington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Louisville Metro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Covington, KY
Louisville Metro, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Covington | Louisville Metro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,922.7 | 4,034.8 | -2,112.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 287.9 | 708.6 | -420.7 |
| Murder Rate | 4.9 | 21.7 | -16.8 |
| Rape Rate | 65.9 | 30.7 | +35.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.6 | 128.2 | -52.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 141.5 | 526.7 | -385.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,634.8 | 3,326.2 | -1,691.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 207.4 | 455.6 | -248.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,085.8 | 2,086.6 | -1,000.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 341.6 | 783.9 | -442.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Covington or Louisville Metro safer?
Covington is safer with a total crime rate of 1,923 per 100K vs 4,035 for Louisville Metro — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Covington has a violent crime rate of 287.9 per 100K while Louisville Metro has 708.6. Covington has lower violent crime.
About Covington, KY
Covington, Kentucky, part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area, sits at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking Rivers. Known for its historic German immigrant architecture, the city is Kentucky's largest river city by population. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 40,984, Covington has a total crime rate of 1,922.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Louisville Metro, KY
Louisville Metro, Kentucky, home of the Kentucky Derby, sprawls along the Ohio River. This consolidated city-county is Kentucky's most populous, with a diverse urban and suburban landscape. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 676,843, Louisville Metro has a total crime rate of 4,034.8 per 100,000 residents.