City comparison
No. Scottsdale's crime index is 79 versus 102 in Lexington, and its violent crime index is 48 versus 72, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $2,013 in Scottsdale.
The income gap between Lexington and Scottsdale is significant: $69,479 median household versus $110,886. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,164 in Lexington and $2,013 in Scottsdale.
Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale are 1,563 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $2,013 a month in Scottsdale, up $849 a month (73%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $110,886 in Scottsdale, up $41,407 (60%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 79 in Scottsdale, down 23 points (23%).
The move
Scottsdale and Lexington are 1,563 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,013 a month in Scottsdale to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $849 a month (42%).
Median household income goes from $110,886 in Scottsdale to $69,479 in Lexington, down $41,407 (37%).
The crime index goes from 79 in Scottsdale to 102 in Lexington, up 23 points (29%).
Lexington, KY
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Scottsdale, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Lexington and Scottsdale? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
42% cheaper
Lexington rent is 42% cheaper than Scottsdale
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Scottsdale
$2,013/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $2,013 in Scottsdale, so Lexington is 42% cheaper. That's roughly $849/month back in your pocket ($10,188/year). Over five years that's $50,940 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 Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
60% higher
Scottsdale's median income is 60% higher than Lexington
Lexington
$69,479
Scottsdale
Winner$110,886
Median household income is $110,886 in Scottsdale versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 60% higher in Scottsdale (about $41,407 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, Scottsdale 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
23% lower crime
Scottsdale's crime index is 23% lower than Lexington
Lexington
102 (100 = avg)
Scottsdale
Winner79 (100 = avg)
Scottsdale's crime index is 79 versus 102 in Lexington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 23% lower in Scottsdale. 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, Scottsdale 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
Scottsdale weather is 56% more comfortable than Lexington
Lexington
52°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 64/100
Scottsdale
Winner79°F avg · 86°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lexington averages about 52°F (63°F highs); Scottsdale averages about 79°F (86°F highs). Lexington averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Scottsdale sits near 79°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Scottsdale 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 42% 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 60% higher ($110,886), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 79°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Scottsdale is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 23% lower than Lexington (79 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
Rent is the clearest fork: Lexington at $1,164/month versus $2,013 in Scottsdale ($849 apart). Scottsdale median income is $110,886 against $69,479 in Lexington, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Safety still diverges (67/100 in Scottsdale vs 59/100 in Lexington), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $110,886 in Scottsdale versus $69,479 in Lexington.
If housing cost drives your move, Lexington is the stronger match ($1,164/month rent against $2,013). If an employer or family tie already points to Scottsdale, treat $2,013/month rent and $110,886 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
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