City comparison
No. Plano's crime index is 62 versus 102 in Lexington, and its violent crime index is 43 versus 72, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $1,841 in Plano.
The income gap between Lexington and Plano is significant: $69,479 median household versus $112,253. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,164 in Lexington and $1,841 in Plano.
Plano 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 Plano 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 Plano are 767 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,841 a month in Plano, up $677 a month (58%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $112,253 in Plano, up $42,774 (62%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 62 in Plano, down 40 points (39%).
The move
Plano and Lexington are 767 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,841 a month in Plano to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $677 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $112,253 in Plano to $69,479 in Lexington, down $42,774 (38%).
The crime index goes from 62 in Plano to 102 in Lexington, up 40 points (65%).
Lexington, KY
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Plano, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Lexington and Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
37% cheaper
Lexington rent is 37% cheaper than Plano
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Plano
$1,841/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $1,841 in Plano, so Lexington is 37% cheaper. That's roughly $677/month back in your pocket ($8,124/year). Over five years that's $40,620 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 Plano, 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 Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
62% higher
Plano's median income is 62% higher than Lexington
Lexington
$69,479
Plano
Winner$112,253
Median household income is $112,253 in Plano versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 62% higher in Plano (about $42,774 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, Plano 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
39% lower crime
Plano's crime index is 39% lower than Lexington
Lexington
102 (100 = avg)
Plano
Winner62 (100 = avg)
Plano's crime index is 62 versus 102 in Lexington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 39% lower in Plano. 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, Plano 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
56% more comfortable
Plano weather is 56% more comfortable than Lexington
Lexington
52°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 64/100
Plano
Winner69°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lexington averages about 52°F (63°F highs); Plano averages about 69°F (77°F highs). Lexington averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Plano sits near 69°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Plano scores 56% 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 37% 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 62% higher ($112,253), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 69°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Plano is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 39% lower than Lexington (62 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
On rent alone, Lexington undercuts Plano by $677/month ($1,164 vs $1,841). I would not pick Plano on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Lexington rent at $1,164/month is still below Plano's $1,841, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 59/100 in Lexington and 75/100 in Plano.
Between Lexington and Plano, Lexington is ahead on housing cost — $1,164/month rent against $1,841. Lean Plano instead when your $112,253 income offer in Plano outweighs saving $677/month in Lexington.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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