City comparison
No. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 293 in Albuquerque, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 320, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Albuquerque is cheaper. Median rent is $1,145 a month versus $1,164 in Lexington.
Safety is where Albuquerque and Lexington split most clearly. Lexington scores 191 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,145 in Albuquerque and $1,164 in Lexington.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Albuquerque costs less and Lexington pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Lexington has rougher pockets and Albuquerque has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Albuquerque and Lexington are 1,244 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Albuquerque to $1,164 a month in Lexington, up $19 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $68,317 in Albuquerque to $69,479 in Lexington, up $1,162 (2%).
The crime index goes from 293 in Albuquerque to 102 in Lexington, down 191 points (65%).
The move
Lexington and Albuquerque are 1,244 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,145 a month in Albuquerque, down $19 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $68,317 in Albuquerque, down $1,162 (2%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 293 in Albuquerque, up 191 points (187%).
Albuquerque, NM
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Lexington, KY
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Albuquerque and Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
2% cheaper
Albuquerque rent is 2% cheaper than Lexington
Albuquerque
Winner$1,145/mo
Lexington
$1,164/mo
Typical rent runs $1,145 a month in Albuquerque versus $1,164 in Lexington, so Albuquerque is 2% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $19, or $228 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Albuquerque? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
2% higher
Lexington's median income is 2% higher than Albuquerque
Albuquerque
$68,317
Lexington
Winner$69,479
Median household income is $69,479 in Lexington versus $68,317 in Albuquerque, so typical pay runs 2% higher in Lexington (about $1,162 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
65% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 65% lower than Albuquerque
Albuquerque
293 (100 = avg)
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 293 in Albuquerque (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 65% lower in Lexington. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Lexington is the easier city. Albuquerque can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
56% more comfortable
Albuquerque weather is 56% more comfortable than Lexington
Albuquerque
Winner65°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lexington
52°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 64/100
Albuquerque averages about 65°F (72°F highs); Lexington averages about 52°F (63°F highs). Albuquerque sits near 65°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Lexington averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Albuquerque scores 56% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Lexington if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Albuquerque is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 2% cheaper here at about $1,145 a month. Choose Albuquerque if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Albuquerque if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (65°F) beat Lexington on this page's weather index by 56%. Lexington may pay more or cost less, but Albuquerque is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Lexington is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 2% higher here ($69,479). Start with Lexington if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Lexington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 65% lower than Albuquerque (102 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Lexington: Lexington scores 59/100 versus 27/100 in Albuquerque, with matched rent near $1,164/month. I would vet the exact ZIP in Albuquerque before trading 32 safety points for an identical lease.
Median income is $69,479 in Lexington versus $68,317 in Albuquerque — with rent matched, the paycheck gap matters more.
Pick Lexington when you want the stronger safety signal (59/100). Otherwise, Albuquerque's case rests on a Albuquerque ZIP you trust at $1,145 rent.
Weather averages land near 65°F in Albuquerque and 52°F in Lexington.
Common questions
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