City comparison
Yes. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 124 in Lincoln, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 114, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lincoln is cheaper. Median rent is $1,086 a month versus $1,164 in Lexington.
Lexington and Lincoln are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,164 in Lexington and $1,086 in Lincoln, and median household income lands at $69,479 versus $71,867. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Lincoln is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, 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 Lincoln is the stronger move.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Lexington and Lincoln are 679 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,086 a month in Lincoln, down $78 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $71,867 in Lincoln, up $2,388 (3%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 124 in Lincoln, up 22 points (22%).
The move
Lincoln and Lexington are 679 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,086 a month in Lincoln to $1,164 a month in Lexington, up $78 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $71,867 in Lincoln to $69,479 in Lexington, down $2,388 (3%).
The crime index goes from 124 in Lincoln to 102 in Lexington, down 22 points (18%).
Lexington, KY
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Lincoln, NE
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Lexington and Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
7% cheaper
Lincoln rent is 7% cheaper than Lexington
Lexington
$1,164/mo
Lincoln
Winner$1,086/mo
Typical rent runs $1,086 a month in Lincoln versus $1,164 in Lexington, so Lincoln is 7% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $78, or $936 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 Lincoln? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
3% higher
Lincoln's median income is 3% higher than Lexington
Lexington
$69,479
Lincoln
Winner$71,867
Median household income is $71,867 in Lincoln versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 3% higher in Lincoln (about $2,388 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
18% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 18% lower than Lincoln
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Lincoln
124 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 124 in Lincoln (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 18% 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. Lincoln can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
4% more comfortable
Lincoln weather is 4% more comfortable than Lexington
Lexington
54°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 69/100
Lincoln
Winner55°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 72/100
Lexington averages about 54°F (64°F highs); Lincoln averages about 55°F (64°F highs). Lexington averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Lincoln averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Lincoln scores 4% 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 better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 18% lower than Lincoln (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
Lincoln is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 7% cheaper here at about $1,086 a month. Choose Lincoln if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 3% higher ($71,867), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 55°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 53/100 in Lincoln). Typical rent is $1,164 in Lexington and $1,086 in Lincoln; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
With only $78 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Median income is $71,867 in Lincoln versus $69,479 in Lexington.
Lexington is ahead on safety (59/100 vs 53/100); Lincoln is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,086/month rent plus $71,867 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Lexington and Lincoln, plus other cities in KY and NE.
