City comparison
No. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 188 in Dallas, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 179, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $1,472 in Dallas.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Dallas and Lexington. Dallas averages 67°F while Lexington averages 52°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,472 versus $1,164.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lexington costs less and Dallas 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
Dallas and Lexington are 781 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Dallas to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $308 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $70,518 in Dallas to $69,479 in Lexington, down $1,039 (1%).
The crime index goes from 188 in Dallas to 102 in Lexington, down 86 points (46%).
The move
Lexington and Dallas are 781 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,472 a month in Dallas, up $308 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $70,518 in Dallas, up $1,039 (1%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 188 in Dallas, up 86 points (84%).
Dallas, TX
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 Dallas and Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Lexington rent is 21% cheaper than Dallas
Dallas
$1,472/mo
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $1,472 in Dallas, so Lexington is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $308/month back in your pocket ($3,696/year). Over five years that's $18,480 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 Dallas, 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
1% higher
Dallas's median income is 1% higher than Lexington
Dallas
Winner$70,518
Lexington
$69,479
Median household income is $70,518 in Dallas versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Dallas (about $1,039 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
46% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 46% lower than Dallas
Dallas
188 (100 = avg)
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 188 in Dallas (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 46% 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. Dallas can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
56% more comfortable
Dallas weather is 56% more comfortable than Lexington
Dallas
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lexington
52°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 64/100
Dallas averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Lexington averages about 52°F (63°F highs). Dallas sits near 67°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. Dallas 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
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 1% higher ($70,518), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 67°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 21% 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 46% lower than Dallas (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 41/100 in Dallas, with typical rent at $1,164 versus $1,472. I would vet the exact ZIP in Dallas before trading 18 safety points for housing savings.
Safety still diverges (59/100 in Lexington vs 41/100 in Dallas), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Typical rent stays $1,164 in Lexington and $1,472 in Dallas.
Pick Lexington when you want the stronger safety signal (59/100). Otherwise, Dallas's case rests on a Dallas ZIP you trust at $1,472 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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