City comparison
No. Boise's crime index is 73 versus 102 in Lexington, and its violent crime index is 85 versus 72, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $1,446 in Boise.
Safety is where Lexington and Boise split most clearly. Boise scores 29 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,164 in Lexington and $1,446 in Boise.
Boise is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, 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 Boise is the stronger move.
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
Lexington and Boise are 1,693 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,446 a month in Boise, up $282 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $83,904 in Boise, up $14,425 (21%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 73 in Boise, down 29 points (28%).
The move
Boise and Lexington are 1,693 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $282 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $69,479 in Lexington, down $14,425 (17%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 102 in Lexington, up 29 points (40%).
Lexington, KY
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Boise, ID
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Lexington and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
20% cheaper
Lexington rent is 20% cheaper than Boise
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Boise
$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $1,446 in Boise, so Lexington is 20% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,384, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Lexington still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Boise.
Planning to buy in Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
21% higher
Boise's median income is 21% higher than Lexington
Lexington
$69,479
Boise
Winner$83,904
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 21% higher in Boise (about $14,425 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, Boise 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
28% lower crime
Boise's crime index is 28% lower than Lexington
Lexington
102 (100 = avg)
Boise
Winner73 (100 = avg)
Boise's crime index is 73 versus 102 in Lexington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 28% lower in Boise. 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, Boise is the easier city. Lexington can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
16% more comfortable
Boise weather is 16% more comfortable than Lexington
Lexington
54°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 69/100
Boise
Winner58°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 80/100
Lexington averages about 54°F (64°F highs); Boise averages about 58°F (66°F highs). Lexington averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Boise averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Boise scores 16% 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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Lexington
Lexington is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 20% 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.
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 21% higher ($83,904), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 58°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Boise is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 28% lower than Lexington (73 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 Boise: Boise scores 70/100 versus 59/100 in Lexington, with typical rent at $1,446 versus $1,164. I would vet the exact ZIP in Lexington before trading 11 safety points for housing savings.
Boise still pays more locally ($83,904 median income vs $69,479), which can offset the lease if your field pays Boise rates.
Median income is $83,904 in Boise versus $69,479 in Lexington.
Boise clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Lexington deserves a serious look only when you already know the Lexington block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
Ready to move to Boise?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Boise when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Lexington and Boise, plus other cities in KY and ID.
