City comparison
Yes. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 221 in Toledo, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 279, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Toledo is cheaper. Median rent is $934 a month versus $1,164 in Lexington.
Safety is where Lexington and Toledo split most clearly. Lexington scores 119 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 $934 in Toledo.
Lexington is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Toledo 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 rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Toledo at $934 average has pockets that run $734 and others at $1,334: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Lexington and Toledo are 259 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $934 a month in Toledo, down $230 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $62,224 in Toledo, down $7,255 (10%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 221 in Toledo, up 119 points (117%).
The move
Toledo and Lexington are 259 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $934 a month in Toledo to $1,164 a month in Lexington, up $230 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $62,224 in Toledo to $69,479 in Lexington, up $7,255 (12%).
The crime index goes from 221 in Toledo to 102 in Lexington, down 119 points (54%).
Lexington, KY
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Toledo, OH
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Lexington and Toledo? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
20% cheaper
Toledo rent is 20% cheaper than Lexington
Lexington
$1,164/mo
Toledo
Winner$934/mo
Typical rent runs $934 a month in Toledo versus $1,164 in Lexington, so Toledo is 20% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,760, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Toledo still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Lexington.
Planning to buy in Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
12% higher
Lexington's median income is 12% higher than Toledo
Lexington
Winner$69,479
Toledo
$62,224
Median household income is $69,479 in Lexington versus $62,224 in Toledo, so typical pay runs 12% higher in Lexington (about $7,255 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, Lexington is the stronger labor market on paper. Toledo can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
54% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 54% lower than Toledo
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Toledo
221 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 221 in Toledo (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 54% 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. Toledo can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
5% more comfortable
Lexington weather is 5% more comfortable than Toledo
Lexington
Winner52°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 64/100
Toledo
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Lexington averages about 52°F (63°F highs); Toledo averages about 51°F (58°F highs). Lexington averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Toledo averages around 51°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Lexington scores 5% 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 Toledo if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
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 12% higher ($69,479), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 52°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Lexington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 54% lower than Toledo (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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Toledo
Toledo is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 20% cheaper here at about $934 a month. Choose Toledo if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Lexington leads on safety (59/100 vs 36/100 in Toledo). Typical rent is $1,164 in Lexington and $934 in Toledo; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Lexington still pays more locally ($69,479 median income vs $62,224), which can offset the lease if your field pays Lexington rates.
Median income is $69,479 in Lexington versus $62,224 in Toledo.
Between Lexington and Toledo, Lexington is ahead on safety — 59/100 safety versus 36/100. Lean Toledo instead when you already know the Toledo block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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