Is Lexington or St. Matthews Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Lexington is safer than St. Matthews (Safety Score 28/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,536 per 100,000 versus 5,223 for St. Matthews — 51% lower. Lexington has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where St. Matthews has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Lexington is 18.7x 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
St. Matthews — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lexington, KY
St. Matthews, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lexington | St. Matthews | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,536.4 | 5,223.0 | -2,686.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 262.0 | 127.3 | +134.8 |
| Murder Rate | 5.0 | 0.0 | +5.0 |
| Rape Rate | 51.7 | 0.0 | +51.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 79.5 | 81.0 | -1.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 125.9 | 46.3 | +79.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,274.4 | 5,095.7 | -2,821.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 264.8 | 208.2 | +56.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,728.4 | 4,424.8 | -2,696.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 281.2 | 462.7 | -181.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lexington or St. Matthews safer?
Lexington is safer with a total crime rate of 2,536 per 100K vs 5,223 for St. Matthews — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lexington has a violent crime rate of 262.0 per 100K while St. Matthews has 127.3. St. Matthews has lower violent crime.
About Lexington, KY
About St. Matthews, KY
St. Matthews, a first-class city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, is home to the historic Oxmoor Farm. This affluent suburban area, known for its retail corridors, lies east of downtown Louisville. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 17,289, St. Matthews has a total crime rate of 5,223.0 per 100,000 residents.