Is Lexington or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Lexington is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 28/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,536 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 19% lower. Lexington has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Lexington has a 67% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 5.1x 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
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lexington, KY
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lexington | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,536.4 | 3,125.4 | -589.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 262.0 | 800.0 | -538.0 |
| Murder Rate | 5.0 | 8.4 | -3.4 |
| Rape Rate | 51.7 | 64.3 | -12.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 79.5 | 181.6 | -102.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 125.9 | 545.3 | -419.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,274.4 | 2,325.3 | -51.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 264.8 | 317.2 | -52.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,728.4 | 1,582.1 | +146.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 281.2 | 426.0 | -144.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lexington or Phoenix safer?
Lexington is safer with a total crime rate of 2,536 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lexington has a violent crime rate of 262.0 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Lexington has lower violent crime.
About Lexington, KY
About Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.