Is Lexington or Louisville Metro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Lexington is safer than Louisville Metro (Safety Score 28/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,536 per 100,000 versus 4,035 for Louisville Metro — 37% lower. Lexington has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lexington has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Louisville Metro is 2.1x 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 Lexington, KY?
Lexington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Louisville Metro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lexington, KY
Louisville Metro, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lexington | Louisville Metro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,536.4 | 4,034.8 | -1,498.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 262.0 | 708.6 | -446.6 |
| Murder Rate | 5.0 | 21.7 | -16.8 |
| Rape Rate | 51.7 | 30.7 | +20.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 79.5 | 128.2 | -48.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 125.9 | 526.7 | -400.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,274.4 | 3,326.2 | -1,051.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 264.8 | 455.6 | -190.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,728.4 | 2,086.6 | -358.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 281.2 | 783.9 | -502.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lexington or Louisville Metro safer?
Lexington is safer with a total crime rate of 2,536 per 100K vs 4,035 for Louisville Metro — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lexington has a violent crime rate of 262.0 per 100K while Louisville Metro has 708.6. Lexington has lower violent crime.
About Lexington, KY
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.