City comparison
Yes. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 165 in St Petersburg, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 167, using 2024-2025 FBI data for Lexington and 2023 FBI data for St Petersburg.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $1,663 in St Petersburg.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Lexington and St Petersburg. Lexington averages 52°F while St Petersburg averages 77°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,164 versus $1,663.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lexington costs less and St Petersburg 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 St Petersburg are 704 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,663 a month in St Petersburg, up $499 a month (43%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $75,192 in St Petersburg, up $5,713 (8%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 165 in St Petersburg, up 63 points (62%).
The move
St Petersburg and Lexington are 704 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,663 a month in St Petersburg to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $499 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $75,192 in St Petersburg to $69,479 in Lexington, down $5,713 (8%).
The crime index goes from 165 in St Petersburg to 102 in Lexington, down 63 points (38%).
Lexington, KY
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
St Petersburg, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Lexington and St Petersburg? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
30% cheaper
Lexington rent is 30% cheaper than St Petersburg
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
St Petersburg
$1,663/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $1,663 in St Petersburg, so Lexington is 30% cheaper. That's roughly $499/month back in your pocket ($5,988/year). Over five years that's $29,940 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 St Petersburg, 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
8% higher
St Petersburg's median income is 8% higher than Lexington
Lexington
$69,479
St Petersburg
Winner$75,192
Median household income is $75,192 in St Petersburg versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 8% higher in St Petersburg (about $5,713 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
38% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 38% lower than St Petersburg
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
St Petersburg
165 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 165 in St Petersburg (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 38% 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 Petersburg can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
56% more comfortable
St Petersburg weather is 56% more comfortable than Lexington
Lexington
52°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 64/100
St Petersburg
Winner77°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lexington averages about 52°F (63°F highs); St Petersburg averages about 77°F (82°F highs). Lexington averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. St Petersburg sits near 77°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. St Petersburg 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
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 30% 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 38% lower than St Petersburg (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 8% higher ($75,192), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 77°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
St Petersburg runs 77°F typical weather against 52°F in Lexington (comfort scores 100 vs 64). Housing is $1,663/month versus $1,164/month, so this decision is lifestyle-weighted as much as financial.
St Petersburg still pays more locally ($75,192 median income vs $69,479), which can offset the lease if your field pays St Petersburg rates.
Typical rent stays $1,164 in Lexington and $1,663 in St Petersburg.
Lexington clears the bar on climate in this dataset. St Petersburg deserves a serious look only when you would rather tolerate 77°F than optimize for Lexington's comfort score.
Common questions
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