City comparison
Yes. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 166 in St Paul, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 160, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $1,281 in St Paul.
Safety is where Lexington and St Paul split most clearly. Lexington scores 64 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 $1,281 in St Paul.
Lexington is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. St Paul makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Lexington is the stronger move.
The crime gap is citywide. Lexington has rougher pockets and St Paul has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Lexington and St Paul are 655 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,281 a month in St Paul, up $117 a month (10%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $73,394 in St Paul, up $3,915 (6%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 166 in St Paul, up 64 points (63%).
The move
St Paul and Lexington are 655 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,281 a month in St Paul to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $117 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $73,394 in St Paul to $69,479 in Lexington, down $3,915 (5%).
The crime index goes from 166 in St Paul to 102 in Lexington, down 64 points (39%).
Lexington, KY
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
St Paul, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Lexington and St Paul? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
9% cheaper
Lexington rent is 9% cheaper than St Paul
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
St Paul
$1,281/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $1,281 in St Paul, so Lexington is 9% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $117, or $1,404 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 Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
6% higher
St Paul's median income is 6% higher than Lexington
Lexington
$69,479
St Paul
Winner$73,394
Median household income is $73,394 in St Paul versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 6% higher in St Paul (about $3,915 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
39% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 39% lower than St Paul
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
St Paul
166 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 166 in St Paul (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 39% 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. St Paul can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
10% more comfortable
Lexington weather is 10% more comfortable than St Paul
Lexington
Winner52°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 64/100
St Paul
50°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 58/100
Lexington averages about 52°F (63°F highs); St Paul averages about 50°F (57°F highs). Lexington averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. St Paul averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Lexington scores 10% 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 St Paul if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Lexington is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 9% 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.
Pick Lexington if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (52°F) beat St Paul on this page's weather index by 10%. St Paul may pay more or cost less, but Lexington is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Lexington 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 St Paul (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 and professional growth
St Paul is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 6% higher here ($73,394). Start with St Paul if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Lexington: Lexington scores 59/100 versus 45/100 in St Paul, with typical rent at $1,164 versus $1,281. I would vet the exact ZIP in St Paul before trading 14 safety points for housing savings.
Safety still diverges (59/100 in Lexington vs 45/100 in St Paul), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Typical rent stays $1,164 in Lexington and $1,281 in St Paul.
If safety drives your move, Lexington is the stronger match (59/100 safety versus 45/100). If an employer or family tie already points to St Paul, treat $1,281/month rent and $73,394 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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