City comparison
No. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 282 in Nashville, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 309, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $1,586 in Nashville.
Safety is where Nashville and Lexington split most clearly. Lexington scores 180 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,586 in Nashville and $1,164 in Lexington.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lexington costs less and Nashville 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
Nashville and Lexington are 179 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,586 a month in Nashville to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $422 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $77,371 in Nashville to $69,479 in Lexington, down $7,892 (10%).
The crime index goes from 282 in Nashville to 102 in Lexington, down 180 points (64%).
The move
Lexington and Nashville are 179 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,586 a month in Nashville, up $422 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $77,371 in Nashville, up $7,892 (11%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 282 in Nashville, up 180 points (176%).
Nashville, TN
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 Nashville and Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
27% cheaper
Lexington rent is 27% cheaper than Nashville
Nashville
$1,586/mo
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $1,586 in Nashville, so Lexington is 27% cheaper. That's roughly $422/month back in your pocket ($5,064/year). Over five years that's $25,320 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 Nashville, 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
11% higher
Nashville's median income is 11% higher than Lexington
Nashville
Winner$77,371
Lexington
$69,479
Median household income is $77,371 in Nashville versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 11% higher in Nashville (about $7,892 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, Nashville 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
64% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 64% lower than Nashville
Nashville
282 (100 = avg)
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 282 in Nashville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 64% 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. Nashville can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
52% more comfortable
Nashville weather is 52% more comfortable than Lexington
Nashville
Winner64°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 97/100
Lexington
52°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 64/100
Nashville averages about 64°F (74°F highs); Lexington averages about 52°F (63°F highs). Nashville averages around 64°F. Lexington averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Nashville scores 52% 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 11% higher ($77,371), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 64°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 27% 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 64% lower than Nashville (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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Lexington leads on safety (59/100 vs 28/100 in Nashville). Typical rent is $1,164 in Lexington and $1,586 in Nashville; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Nashville still pays more locally ($77,371 median income vs $69,479), which can offset the lease if your field pays Nashville rates.
Weather averages land near 64°F in Nashville and 52°F in Lexington.
Lexington is ahead on safety (59/100 vs 28/100); Nashville is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,586/month rent plus $77,371 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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