City comparison
No. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 212 in Aurora, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 248, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $1,835 in Aurora.
Safety is where Aurora and Lexington split most clearly. Lexington scores 110 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,835 in Aurora and $1,164 in Lexington.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lexington costs less and Aurora 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 rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Lexington at $1,164 average has pockets that run $964 and others at $1,564: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Aurora and Lexington are 1,099 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,835 a month in Aurora to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $671 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $88,368 in Aurora to $69,479 in Lexington, down $18,889 (21%).
The crime index goes from 212 in Aurora to 102 in Lexington, down 110 points (52%).
The move
Lexington and Aurora are 1,099 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,835 a month in Aurora, up $671 a month (58%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $88,368 in Aurora, up $18,889 (27%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 212 in Aurora, up 110 points (108%).
Aurora, CO
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 Aurora and Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
37% cheaper
Lexington rent is 37% cheaper than Aurora
Aurora
$1,835/mo
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $1,835 in Aurora, so Lexington is 37% cheaper. That's roughly $671/month back in your pocket ($8,052/year). Over five years that's $40,260 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Aurora, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Lexington is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
27% higher
Aurora's median income is 27% higher than Lexington
Aurora
Winner$88,368
Lexington
$69,479
Median household income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 27% higher in Aurora (about $18,889 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Aurora is the stronger labor market on paper. Lexington can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
52% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 52% lower than Aurora
Aurora
212 (100 = avg)
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 212 in Aurora (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 52% 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. Aurora can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Aurora weather is 9% more comfortable than Lexington
Aurora
Winner56°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 75/100
Lexington
54°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 69/100
Aurora averages about 56°F (65°F highs); Lexington averages about 54°F (64°F highs). Aurora averages around 56°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Lexington averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Aurora scores 9% 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 27% higher ($88,368), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 56°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Lexington is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 37% cheaper here at about $1,164 a month. Choose Lexington if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Lexington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 52% lower than Aurora (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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Lexington leads on safety (59/100 vs 37/100 in Aurora). Typical rent is $1,164 in Lexington and $1,835 in Aurora; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Aurora still pays more locally ($88,368 median income vs $69,479), which can offset the lease if your field pays Aurora rates.
Median income is $88,368 in Aurora versus $69,479 in Lexington.
Between Aurora and Lexington, Lexington is ahead on safety — 59/100 safety versus 37/100. Lean Aurora instead when you already know the Aurora block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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