Is Lexington or Philadelphia Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Lexington is safer than Philadelphia (Safety Score 28/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,536 per 100,000 versus 5,458 for Philadelphia — 54% lower. Lexington has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Lexington has a 71% lower rate.
Note: Philadelphia is 4.8x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Lexington, KY?
Lexington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Philadelphia — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lexington, KY
Philadelphia, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lexington | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,536.4 | 5,458.5 | -2,922.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 262.0 | 910.3 | -648.3 |
| Murder Rate | 5.0 | 16.9 | -12.0 |
| Rape Rate | 51.7 | 46.1 | +5.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 79.5 | 273.2 | -193.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 125.9 | 572.5 | -446.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,274.4 | 4,548.2 | -2,273.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 264.8 | 319.0 | -54.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,728.4 | 3,223.6 | -1,495.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 281.2 | 1,005.6 | -724.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lexington or Philadelphia safer?
Lexington is safer with a total crime rate of 2,536 per 100K vs 5,458 for Philadelphia — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lexington has a violent crime rate of 262.0 per 100K while Philadelphia has 910.3. Lexington has lower violent crime.
About Lexington, KY
About Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence, is Pennsylvania's largest city. Situated along the Delaware River, its diverse population contributes to a rich urban tapestry. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,549,259, Philadelphia has a total crime rate of 5,458.5 per 100,000 residents.