City comparison
Yes. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 151 in Reno, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Lexington and Reno. Lexington averages 52°F while Reno averages 62°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,164 versus $1,556.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lexington costs less and Reno 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 Reno are 1,895 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $392 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $80,760 in Reno, up $11,281 (16%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 151 in Reno, up 49 points (48%).
The move
Reno and Lexington are 1,895 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $392 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $69,479 in Lexington, down $11,281 (14%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 102 in Lexington, down 49 points (32%).
Lexington, KY
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Reno, NV
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Lexington and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
25% cheaper
Lexington rent is 25% cheaper than Reno
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Reno
$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $1,556 in Reno, so Lexington is 25% cheaper. That's roughly $392/month back in your pocket ($4,704/year). Over five years that's $23,520 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 Reno, 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
16% higher
Reno's median income is 16% higher than Lexington
Lexington
$69,479
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 16% higher in Reno (about $11,281 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, Reno 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
32% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 32% lower than Reno
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Reno
151 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 151 in Reno (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. Reno can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
44% more comfortable
Reno weather is 44% more comfortable than Lexington
Lexington
52°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 64/100
Reno
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Lexington averages about 52°F (63°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Lexington averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Reno averages around 62°F. Reno scores 44% 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 25% 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 Reno (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 16% higher ($80,760), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 62°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 47/100 in Reno). Typical rent is $1,164 in Lexington and $1,556 in Reno; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Reno still pays more locally ($80,760 median income vs $69,479), which can offset the lease if your field pays Reno rates.
Weather averages land near 52°F in Lexington and 62°F in Reno.
Between Lexington and Reno, Lexington is ahead on safety — 59/100 safety versus 47/100. Lean Reno instead when you already know the Reno block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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