Is Nicholasville or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Nicholasville is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 52/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,610 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 48% lower. Nicholasville has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Nicholasville has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 50.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Nicholasville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Nicholasville, KY
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Nicholasville | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,609.6 | 3,125.4 | -1,515.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 112.6 | 800.0 | -687.5 |
| Murder Rate | 3.0 | 8.4 | -5.3 |
| Rape Rate | 18.3 | 64.3 | -46.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 18.3 | 181.6 | -163.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 73.0 | 545.3 | -472.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,497.0 | 2,325.3 | -828.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 206.9 | 317.2 | -110.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,217.1 | 1,582.1 | -365.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 73.0 | 426.0 | -353.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nicholasville or Phoenix safer?
Nicholasville is safer with a total crime rate of 1,610 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 48% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Nicholasville has a violent crime rate of 112.6 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Nicholasville has lower violent crime.
About Nicholasville, KY
Nicholasville, Kentucky, the "Christmas City," sits south of Lexington in Jessamine County. This growing city of over 30,000 residents is known for its annual Christmas parade and its proximity to Kentucky's horse country. With a safety score of 52/100 and a population coverage of 32,866, Nicholasville has a total crime rate of 1,609.6 per 100,000 residents.
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.