Is Kearney or Lincoln Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kearney is safer than Lincoln (Safety Score 43/100 vs 23/100), with a total crime rate of 1,926 per 100,000 versus 2,795 for Lincoln — 31% lower. Kearney has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Kearney has a 57% lower rate.
Note: Lincoln is 8.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Kearney — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lincoln — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kearney, NE
Lincoln, NE
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Kearney | Lincoln | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,926.1 | 2,795.1 | -868.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 301.2 | 349.2 | -48.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.9 | 2.7 | +0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 98.5 | 63.6 | +34.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.4 | 40.6 | -23.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 182.5 | 241.0 | -58.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,624.9 | 2,445.8 | -820.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 168.0 | 262.3 | -94.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,349.8 | 1,863.7 | -514.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 107.2 | 319.8 | -212.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kearney or Lincoln safer?
Kearney is safer with a total crime rate of 1,926 per 100K vs 2,795 for Lincoln — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Kearney has a violent crime rate of 301.2 per 100K while Lincoln has 349.2. Kearney has lower violent crime.
About Kearney, NE
Kearney, Nebraska, a city bisected by the historic Transcontinental Railroad, sits on the Great Platte River Road. It's home to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, contributing to a youthful demographic. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 34,525, Kearney has a total crime rate of 1,926.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Lincoln, NE
Lincoln, Nebraska, the state capital, is home to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, known for its Cornhuskers football. This city of over 290,000 residents lies in the southeastern part of the state. With a safety score of 23/100 and a population coverage of 295,808, Lincoln has a total crime rate of 2,795.1 per 100,000 residents.