City comparison
No. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 187 in Long Beach, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 189, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $1,871 in Long Beach.
Safety is where Long Beach and Lexington split most clearly. Lexington scores 85 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,871 in Long Beach and $1,164 in Lexington.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lexington costs less and Long Beach 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
Long Beach and Lexington are 1,899 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,871 a month in Long Beach to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $707 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $87,430 in Long Beach to $69,479 in Lexington, down $17,951 (21%).
The crime index goes from 187 in Long Beach to 102 in Lexington, down 85 points (45%).
The move
Lexington and Long Beach are 1,899 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,871 a month in Long Beach, up $707 a month (61%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $87,430 in Long Beach, up $17,951 (26%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 187 in Long Beach, up 85 points (83%).
Long Beach, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Lexington, KY
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Long Beach and Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
38% cheaper
Lexington rent is 38% cheaper than Long Beach
Long Beach
$1,871/mo
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $1,871 in Long Beach, so Lexington is 38% cheaper. That's roughly $707/month back in your pocket ($8,484/year). Over five years that's $42,420 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 Long Beach, 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
26% higher
Long Beach's median income is 26% higher than Lexington
Long Beach
Winner$87,430
Lexington
$69,479
Median household income is $87,430 in Long Beach versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 26% higher in Long Beach (about $17,951 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, Long Beach 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
45% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 45% lower than Long Beach
Long Beach
187 (100 = avg)
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 187 in Long Beach (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 45% 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. Long Beach can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
45% more comfortable
Long Beach weather is 45% more comfortable than Lexington
Long Beach
Winner71°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lexington
54°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 69/100
Long Beach averages about 71°F (77°F highs); Lexington averages about 54°F (64°F highs). Long Beach sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Lexington averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Long Beach scores 45% 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
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 26% higher ($87,430), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 71°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
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 38% 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 45% lower than Long Beach (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.
Bottom line
Long Beach runs $1,871/month while Lexington sits at $1,164 — roughly 38% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Long Beach-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Safety still diverges (59/100 in Lexington vs 41/100 in Long Beach), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 71°F in Long Beach and 54°F in Lexington.
Lexington is the default on housing cost at $1,164/month versus $1,871 in Long Beach; Long Beach stays in play when $87,430 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $707 lease gap.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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