Is Lexington or Paducah Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Lexington is safer than Paducah (Safety Score 28/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,536 per 100,000 versus 3,065 for Paducah — 17% lower. Lexington has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Paducah has a 48% lower rate.
Note: Lexington is 12.1x 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
Paducah — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lexington, KY
Paducah, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lexington | Paducah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,536.4 | 3,064.9 | -528.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 262.0 | 270.4 | -8.4 |
| Murder Rate | 5.0 | 3.8 | +1.2 |
| Rape Rate | 51.7 | 71.4 | -19.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 79.5 | 41.3 | +38.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 125.9 | 154.0 | -28.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,274.4 | 2,794.5 | -520.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 264.8 | 232.9 | +31.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,728.4 | 2,249.9 | -521.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 281.2 | 311.8 | -30.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lexington or Paducah safer?
Lexington is safer with a total crime rate of 2,536 per 100K vs 3,065 for Paducah — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lexington has a violent crime rate of 262.0 per 100K while Paducah has 270.4. Lexington has lower violent crime.
About Lexington, KY
About Paducah, KY
Paducah, a UNESCO Creative City known for its vibrant arts, sits at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. This McCracken County seat in Western Kentucky has a population of around 27,000. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 26,624, Paducah has a total crime rate of 3,064.9 per 100,000 residents.