City comparison
Yes. El Paso's crime index is 87 versus 102 in Lexington, and its violent crime index is 88 versus 72, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
El Paso is cheaper. Median rent is $1,073 a month versus $1,164 in Lexington.
Climate is the sharpest divide between El Paso and Lexington. El Paso averages 66°F while Lexington averages 54°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,073 versus $1,164.
El Paso is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Lexington makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone El Paso is the stronger move.
Weather is the one thing you cannot negotiate with. Visit Lexington in its coldest stretch before you sign anything.
The move
El Paso and Lexington are 1,316 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,073 a month in El Paso to $1,164 a month in Lexington, up $91 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $59,745 in El Paso to $69,479 in Lexington, up $9,734 (16%).
The crime index goes from 87 in El Paso to 102 in Lexington, up 15 points (17%).
The move
Lexington and El Paso are 1,316 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,073 a month in El Paso, down $91 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $59,745 in El Paso, down $9,734 (14%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 87 in El Paso, down 15 points (15%).
El Paso, 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 El Paso and Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
8% cheaper
El Paso rent is 8% cheaper than Lexington
El Paso
Winner$1,073/mo
Lexington
$1,164/mo
Typical rent runs $1,073 a month in El Paso versus $1,164 in Lexington, so El Paso is 8% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $91, or $1,092 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 El Paso? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
16% higher
Lexington's median income is 16% higher than El Paso
El Paso
$59,745
Lexington
Winner$69,479
Median household income is $69,479 in Lexington versus $59,745 in El Paso, so typical pay runs 16% higher in Lexington (about $9,734 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, Lexington is the stronger labor market on paper. El Paso can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
15% lower crime
El Paso's crime index is 15% lower than Lexington
El Paso
Winner87 (100 = avg)
Lexington
102 (100 = avg)
El Paso's crime index is 87 versus 102 in Lexington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 15% lower in El Paso. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in El Paso, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Lexington. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
45% more comfortable
El Paso weather is 45% more comfortable than Lexington
El Paso
Winner66°F avg · 72°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lexington
54°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 69/100
El Paso averages about 66°F (72°F highs); Lexington averages about 54°F (64°F highs). El Paso sits near 66°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Lexington averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. El Paso scores 45% 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
El Paso is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 8% cheaper here at about $1,073 a month. Choose El Paso if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick El Paso if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (66°F) beat Lexington on this page's weather index by 45%. Lexington may pay more or cost less, but El Paso is the city where the forecast fights you less.
El Paso is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 15% lower than Lexington (87 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.
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 16% higher here ($69,479). Start with Lexington if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
El Paso runs 66°F typical weather against 54°F in Lexington (comfort scores 100 vs 69). Housing is $1,073/month versus $1,164/month, so this decision is lifestyle-weighted as much as financial.
El Paso rent at $1,073/month is still below Lexington's $1,164, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $69,479 in Lexington versus $59,745 in El Paso.
Lexington clears the bar on climate in this dataset. El Paso deserves a serious look only when you would rather tolerate 66°F than optimize for Lexington's comfort score.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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