City comparison
No. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 147 in Boston, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 175, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $2,147 in Boston.
The cost gap between Boston and Lexington is the real story here. Lexington comes in 46% cheaper on typical rent ($2,147 vs $1,164), which over a year adds up to $11,796. Median household income runs $97,344 in Boston and $69,479 in Lexington.
Lexington is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Boston makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Lexington is the stronger move.
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
Boston and Lexington are 769 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,147 a month in Boston to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $983 a month (46%).
Median household income goes from $97,344 in Boston to $69,479 in Lexington, down $27,865 (29%).
The crime index goes from 147 in Boston to 102 in Lexington, down 45 points (31%).
The move
Lexington and Boston are 769 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $2,147 a month in Boston, up $983 a month (84%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $97,344 in Boston, up $27,865 (40%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 147 in Boston, up 45 points (44%).
Boston, MA
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 Boston and Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
46% cheaper
Lexington rent is 46% cheaper than Boston
Boston
$2,147/mo
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $2,147 in Boston, so Lexington is 46% cheaper. That's roughly $983/month back in your pocket ($11,796/year). Over five years that's $58,980 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 Boston, 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
40% higher
Boston's median income is 40% higher than Lexington
Boston
Winner$97,344
Lexington
$69,479
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 40% higher in Boston (about $27,865 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, Boston 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
31% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 31% lower than Boston
Boston
147 (100 = avg)
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 147 in Boston (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 31% 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. Boston can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
10% more comfortable
Lexington weather is 10% more comfortable than Boston
Boston
50°F avg · 56°F highs · comfort 58/100
Lexington
Winner52°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 64/100
Boston averages about 50°F (56°F highs); Lexington averages about 52°F (63°F highs). Boston averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Lexington averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Lexington scores 10% 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 Boston 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 and professional growth
Boston is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 40% higher here ($97,344). Start with Boston if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Lexington is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 46% 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.
Pick Lexington if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (52°F) beat Boston on this page's weather index by 10%. Boston may pay more or cost less, but Lexington is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Lexington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 31% lower than Boston (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
Housing separates these metros first: $1,164/month in Lexington versus $2,147 in Boston. Median income reads $69,479 in Lexington and $97,344 in Boston, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Lexington rent at $1,164/month is still below Boston's $2,147, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 48/100 in Boston and 59/100 in Lexington.
Pick Lexington when shaving $983 off rent at $1,164/month is the priority. Otherwise, Boston's case rests on $2,147/month rent with $97,344 local income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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