Is Paducah or Phoenix Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Paducah is safer than Phoenix (Safety Score 19/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,065 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix — 2% lower. Paducah has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Paducah has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Phoenix is 62.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Paducah — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Phoenix — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Paducah, KY
Phoenix, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Paducah | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,064.9 | 3,125.4 | -60.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 270.4 | 800.0 | -529.6 |
| Murder Rate | 3.8 | 8.4 | -4.6 |
| Rape Rate | 71.4 | 64.3 | +7.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 41.3 | 181.6 | -140.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 154.0 | 545.3 | -391.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,794.5 | 2,325.3 | +469.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 232.9 | 317.2 | -84.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,249.9 | 1,582.1 | +667.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 311.8 | 426.0 | -114.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paducah or Phoenix safer?
Paducah is safer with a total crime rate of 3,065 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Paducah has a violent crime rate of 270.4 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Paducah has lower violent crime.
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.
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.