City comparison
No. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 341 in Cleveland, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 425, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cleveland is cheaper. Median rent is $1,060 a month versus $1,164 in Lexington.
Safety is where Cleveland and Lexington split most clearly. Lexington scores 239 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,060 in Cleveland and $1,164 in Lexington.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Cleveland 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 Cleveland has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Cleveland and Lexington are 284 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,060 a month in Cleveland to $1,164 a month in Lexington, up $104 a month (10%).
Median household income goes from $64,468 in Cleveland to $69,479 in Lexington, up $5,011 (8%).
The crime index goes from 341 in Cleveland to 102 in Lexington, down 239 points (70%).
The move
Lexington and Cleveland are 284 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,060 a month in Cleveland, down $104 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $64,468 in Cleveland, down $5,011 (7%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 341 in Cleveland, up 239 points (234%).
Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland and Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
9% cheaper
Cleveland rent is 9% cheaper than Lexington
Cleveland
Winner$1,060/mo
Lexington
$1,164/mo
Typical rent runs $1,060 a month in Cleveland versus $1,164 in Lexington, so Cleveland is 9% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $104, or $1,248 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 Cleveland? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
8% higher
Lexington's median income is 8% higher than Cleveland
Cleveland
$64,468
Lexington
Winner$69,479
Median household income is $69,479 in Lexington versus $64,468 in Cleveland, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Lexington (about $5,011 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
70% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 70% lower than Cleveland
Cleveland
341 (100 = avg)
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 341 in Cleveland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 70% 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. Cleveland can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
13% more comfortable
Cleveland weather is 13% more comfortable than Lexington
Cleveland
Winner57°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 78/100
Lexington
54°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 69/100
Cleveland averages about 57°F (62°F highs); Lexington averages about 54°F (64°F highs). Cleveland averages around 57°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. Cleveland scores 13% 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
Cleveland is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 9% cheaper here at about $1,060 a month. Choose Cleveland if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Cleveland if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (57°F) beat Lexington on this page's weather index by 13%. Lexington may pay more or cost less, but Cleveland 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 8% 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 70% lower than Cleveland (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
Cleveland carries the heavier crime signal on this page (23/100 safety vs 59/100 in Lexington). That 36-point spread matters more than the $104 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Safety still diverges (59/100 in Lexington vs 23/100 in Cleveland), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $69,479 in Lexington versus $64,468 in Cleveland.
Pick Lexington when you want the stronger safety signal (59/100). Otherwise, Cleveland's case rests on a Cleveland ZIP you trust at $1,060 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Cleveland and Lexington, plus other cities in OH and KY.
