City comparison
Yes. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 193 in Durham, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 163, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $1,508 in Durham.
Safety is where Lexington and Durham split most clearly. Lexington scores 91 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 $1,508 in Durham.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lexington costs less and Durham 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
Lexington and Durham are 337 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,508 a month in Durham, up $344 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $81,619 in Durham, up $12,140 (17%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 193 in Durham, up 91 points (89%).
The move
Durham and Lexington are 337 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,508 a month in Durham to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $344 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $81,619 in Durham to $69,479 in Lexington, down $12,140 (15%).
The crime index goes from 193 in Durham to 102 in Lexington, down 91 points (47%).
Lexington, KY
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Durham, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Lexington and Durham? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Lexington rent is 23% cheaper than Durham
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Durham
$1,508/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $1,508 in Durham, so Lexington is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $344/month back in your pocket ($4,128/year). Over five years that's $20,640 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 Durham, 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
17% higher
Durham's median income is 17% higher than Lexington
Lexington
$69,479
Durham
Winner$81,619
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 17% higher in Durham (about $12,140 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, Durham 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
47% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 47% lower than Durham
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Durham
193 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 193 in Durham (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 47% 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. Durham can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
30% more comfortable
Durham weather is 30% more comfortable than Lexington
Lexington
52°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 64/100
Durham
Winner59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Lexington averages about 52°F (63°F highs); Durham averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Lexington averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Durham averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Durham scores 30% 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
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 23% 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 47% lower than Durham (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.
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 17% higher ($81,619), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 59°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Lexington leads on safety (59/100 vs 40/100 in Durham). Typical rent is $1,164 in Lexington and $1,508 in Durham; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Durham still pays more locally ($81,619 median income vs $69,479), which can offset the lease if your field pays Durham rates.
Weather averages land near 52°F in Lexington and 59°F in Durham.
Between Lexington and Durham, Lexington is ahead on safety — 59/100 safety versus 40/100. Lean Durham instead when you already know the Durham block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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