City comparison
No. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 150 in Jacksonville, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 155, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $1,465 in Jacksonville.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Jacksonville and Lexington. Jacksonville averages 68°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 $1,465 versus $1,164.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lexington costs less and Jacksonville 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
Jacksonville and Lexington are 553 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $301 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $69,479 in Lexington, down $393 (1%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 102 in Lexington, down 48 points (32%).
The move
Lexington and Jacksonville are 553 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, up $301 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $69,872 in Jacksonville, up $393 (1%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 150 in Jacksonville, up 48 points (47%).
Jacksonville, FL
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 Jacksonville and Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Lexington rent is 21% cheaper than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$1,465/mo
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $1,465 in Jacksonville, so Lexington is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $301/month back in your pocket ($3,612/year). Over five years that's $18,060 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 Jacksonville, 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
Jacksonville's median income is 1% higher than Lexington
Jacksonville
Winner$69,872
Lexington
$69,479
Median household income is $69,872 in Jacksonville versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Jacksonville (about $393 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
32% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 32% lower than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
150 (100 = avg)
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 150 in Jacksonville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 32% 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. Jacksonville can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
45% more comfortable
Jacksonville weather is 45% more comfortable than Lexington
Jacksonville
Winner68°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lexington
54°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 69/100
Jacksonville averages about 68°F (74°F highs); Lexington averages about 54°F (64°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 68°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. Jacksonville 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
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 ($69,872), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°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 32% lower than Jacksonville (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
Jacksonville carries the heavier crime signal on this page (48/100 safety vs 59/100 in Lexington). That 11-point spread matters more than the $301 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Safety still diverges (59/100 in Lexington vs 48/100 in Jacksonville), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Typical rent stays $1,164 in Lexington and $1,465 in Jacksonville.
Pick Lexington when you want the stronger safety signal (59/100). Otherwise, Jacksonville's case rests on a Jacksonville ZIP you trust at $1,465 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Jacksonville and Lexington, plus other cities in FL and KY.
