City comparison
No. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 141 in Omaha, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 102, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $1,187 in Omaha.
Safety is where Omaha and Lexington split most clearly. Lexington scores 39 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,187 in Omaha and $1,164 in Lexington.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lexington costs less and Omaha 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 Omaha has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Omaha and Lexington are 650 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,187 a month in Omaha to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $23 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $73,201 in Omaha to $69,479 in Lexington, down $3,722 (5%).
The crime index goes from 141 in Omaha to 102 in Lexington, down 39 points (28%).
The move
Lexington and Omaha are 650 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,187 a month in Omaha, up $23 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $73,201 in Omaha, up $3,722 (5%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 141 in Omaha, up 39 points (38%).
Omaha, NE
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 Omaha and Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
2% cheaper
Lexington rent is 2% cheaper than Omaha
Omaha
$1,187/mo
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $1,187 in Omaha, so Lexington is 2% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $23, or $276 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 Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
5% higher
Omaha's median income is 5% higher than Lexington
Omaha
Winner$73,201
Lexington
$69,479
Median household income is $73,201 in Omaha versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 5% higher in Omaha (about $3,722 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
28% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 28% lower than Omaha
Omaha
141 (100 = avg)
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 141 in Omaha (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 28% 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. Omaha can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
30% more comfortable
Omaha weather is 30% more comfortable than Lexington
Omaha
Winner59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Lexington
52°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 64/100
Omaha averages about 59°F (68°F highs); Lexington averages about 52°F (63°F highs). Omaha averages around 59°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. Omaha scores 30% 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 5% higher ($73,201), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 59°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 2% 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 28% lower than Omaha (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
Omaha carries the heavier crime signal on this page (50/100 safety vs 59/100 in Lexington). That 9-point spread matters more than the $23 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Median income is $73,201 in Omaha versus $69,479 in Lexington — with rent matched, the paycheck gap matters more.
If safety drives your move, Lexington is the stronger match (59/100 safety versus 50/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Omaha, treat $1,187/month rent and $73,201 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Weather averages land near 59°F in Omaha and 52°F in Lexington.
Common questions
Ready to move to Lexington?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Lexington when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Omaha and Lexington, plus other cities in NE and KY.
