City comparison
No. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 271 in Denver, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 272, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $1,831 in Denver.
Safety is where Denver and Lexington split most clearly. Lexington scores 169 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,831 in Denver and $1,164 in Lexington.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lexington costs less and Denver 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
Denver and Lexington are 1,107 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,831 a month in Denver to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $667 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $94,718 in Denver to $69,479 in Lexington, down $25,239 (27%).
The crime index goes from 271 in Denver to 102 in Lexington, down 169 points (62%).
The move
Lexington and Denver are 1,107 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,831 a month in Denver, up $667 a month (57%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $94,718 in Denver, up $25,239 (36%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 271 in Denver, up 169 points (166%).
Denver, 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 Denver and Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
36% cheaper
Lexington rent is 36% cheaper than Denver
Denver
$1,831/mo
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $1,831 in Denver, so Lexington is 36% cheaper. That's roughly $667/month back in your pocket ($8,004/year). Over five years that's $40,020 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 Denver, 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
36% higher
Denver's median income is 36% higher than Lexington
Denver
Winner$94,718
Lexington
$69,479
Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 36% higher in Denver (about $25,239 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, Denver 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
62% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 62% lower than Denver
Denver
271 (100 = avg)
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 271 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 62% 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. Denver can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
13% more comfortable
Denver weather is 13% more comfortable than Lexington
Denver
Winner57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Lexington
54°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 69/100
Denver averages about 57°F (66°F highs); Lexington averages about 54°F (64°F highs). Denver 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. Denver 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
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 36% higher ($94,718), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 57°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 36% 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 62% lower than Denver (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 30/100 in Denver). Typical rent is $1,164 in Lexington and $1,831 in Denver; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Denver still pays more locally ($94,718 median income vs $69,479), which can offset the lease if your field pays Denver rates.
Median income is $94,718 in Denver versus $69,479 in Lexington.
Between Denver and Lexington, Lexington is ahead on safety — 59/100 safety versus 30/100. Lean Denver instead when you already know the Denver block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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