City comparison
No. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 303 in Minneapolis, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $1,371 in Minneapolis.
Safety is where Minneapolis and Lexington split most clearly. Lexington scores 201 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,371 in Minneapolis and $1,164 in Lexington.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lexington costs less and Minneapolis 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 crime gap is citywide. Lexington has rougher pockets and Minneapolis has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Minneapolis and Lexington are 663 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,371 a month in Minneapolis to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $207 a month (15%).
Median household income goes from $80,846 in Minneapolis to $69,479 in Lexington, down $11,367 (14%).
The crime index goes from 303 in Minneapolis to 102 in Lexington, down 201 points (66%).
The move
Lexington and Minneapolis are 663 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,371 a month in Minneapolis, up $207 a month (18%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $80,846 in Minneapolis, up $11,367 (16%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 303 in Minneapolis, up 201 points (197%).
Minneapolis, MN
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 Minneapolis and Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
15% cheaper
Lexington rent is 15% cheaper than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
$1,371/mo
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $1,371 in Minneapolis, so Lexington is 15% 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 $2,484, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Lexington still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Minneapolis.
Planning to buy in Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
16% higher
Minneapolis's median income is 16% higher than Lexington
Minneapolis
Winner$80,846
Lexington
$69,479
Median household income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 16% higher in Minneapolis (about $11,367 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, Minneapolis 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
66% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 66% lower than Minneapolis
Minneapolis
303 (100 = avg)
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 303 in Minneapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 66% 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. Minneapolis can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
13% more comfortable
Minneapolis weather is 13% more comfortable than Lexington
Minneapolis
Winner55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Lexington
52°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 64/100
Minneapolis averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Lexington averages about 52°F (63°F highs). Minneapolis averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Lexington averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Minneapolis scores 13% 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 16% higher ($80,846), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 55°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 15% 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 66% lower than Minneapolis (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
Safety is the widest gap: Lexington scores 59/100 versus 26/100 in Minneapolis. Rent is $1,164/month in Lexington and $1,371/month in Minneapolis, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Minneapolis still pays more locally ($80,846 median income vs $69,479), which can offset the lease if your field pays Minneapolis rates.
Median income is $80,846 in Minneapolis versus $69,479 in Lexington.
Lexington is ahead on safety (59/100 vs 26/100); Minneapolis is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,371/month rent plus $80,846 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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