City comparison
No. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 183 in Oklahoma City, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 197, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Oklahoma City is cheaper. Median rent is $1,130 a month versus $1,164 in Lexington.
Safety is where Oklahoma City and Lexington split most clearly. Lexington scores 81 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,130 in Oklahoma City and $1,164 in Lexington.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Oklahoma City costs less and Lexington 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 Oklahoma City has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Oklahoma City and Lexington are 742 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City to $1,164 a month in Lexington, up $34 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $68,656 in Oklahoma City to $69,479 in Lexington, up $823 (1%).
The crime index goes from 183 in Oklahoma City to 102 in Lexington, down 81 points (44%).
The move
Lexington and Oklahoma City are 742 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City, down $34 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $68,656 in Oklahoma City, down $823 (1%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 183 in Oklahoma City, up 81 points (79%).
Oklahoma City, OK
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 Oklahoma City and Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
3% cheaper
Oklahoma City rent is 3% cheaper than Lexington
Oklahoma City
Winner$1,130/mo
Lexington
$1,164/mo
Typical rent runs $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City versus $1,164 in Lexington, so Oklahoma City is 3% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $34, or $408 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Oklahoma City? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
1% higher
Lexington's median income is 1% higher than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
$68,656
Lexington
Winner$69,479
Median household income is $69,479 in Lexington versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Lexington (about $823 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
44% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 44% lower than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
183 (100 = avg)
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 183 in Oklahoma City (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 44% 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. Oklahoma City can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Oklahoma City weather is 39% more comfortable than Lexington
Oklahoma City
Winner61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Lexington
52°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 64/100
Oklahoma City averages about 61°F (69°F highs); Lexington averages about 52°F (63°F highs). Oklahoma City averages around 61°F. Lexington averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Oklahoma City scores 39% 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 3% cheaper here at about $1,130 a month. Choose Oklahoma City if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Oklahoma City if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (61°F) beat Lexington on this page's weather index by 39%. Lexington may pay more or cost less, but Oklahoma City is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Lexington is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 1% higher here ($69,479). Start with Lexington if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Lexington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 44% lower than Oklahoma City (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 42/100 in Oklahoma City). Typical rent is $1,164 in Lexington and $1,130 in Oklahoma City; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Safety still diverges (59/100 in Lexington vs 42/100 in Oklahoma City), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Typical rent stays $1,130 in Oklahoma City and $1,164 in Lexington.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Lexington; Oklahoma City only makes sense when you have walked the Oklahoma City ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,130 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Oklahoma City when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Oklahoma City and Lexington, plus other cities in OK and KY.
