City comparison
No. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 242 in Orlando, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 241, using 2022 FBI data for Orlando and 2024-2025 FBI data for Lexington.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $1,747 in Orlando.
Safety is where Orlando and Lexington split most clearly. Lexington scores 140 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,747 in Orlando and $1,164 in Lexington.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lexington costs less and Orlando 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
Orlando and Lexington are 677 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,747 a month in Orlando to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $583 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $72,336 in Orlando to $69,479 in Lexington, down $2,857 (4%).
The crime index goes from 242 in Orlando to 102 in Lexington, down 140 points (58%).
The move
Lexington and Orlando are 677 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,747 a month in Orlando, up $583 a month (50%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $72,336 in Orlando, up $2,857 (4%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 242 in Orlando, up 140 points (137%).
Orlando, FL
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 Orlando and Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
33% cheaper
Lexington rent is 33% cheaper than Orlando
Orlando
$1,747/mo
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $1,747 in Orlando, so Lexington is 33% cheaper. That's roughly $583/month back in your pocket ($6,996/year). Over five years that's $34,980 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 Orlando, 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
4% higher
Orlando's median income is 4% higher than Lexington
Orlando
Winner$72,336
Lexington
$69,479
Median household income is $72,336 in Orlando versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Orlando (about $2,857 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
58% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 58% lower than Orlando
Orlando
242 (100 = avg)
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 242 in Orlando (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 58% 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. Orlando can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
45% more comfortable
Orlando weather is 45% more comfortable than Lexington
Orlando
Winner71°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lexington
54°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 69/100
Orlando averages about 71°F (78°F highs); Lexington averages about 54°F (64°F highs). Orlando 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. Orlando 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 4% higher ($72,336), 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 33% 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 58% lower than Orlando (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
Orlando carries the heavier crime signal on this page (33/100 safety vs 59/100 in Lexington). That 26-point spread matters more than the $583 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Orlando still pays more locally ($72,336 median income vs $69,479), which can offset the lease if your field pays Orlando rates.
Weather averages land near 71°F in Orlando and 54°F in Lexington.
Pick Lexington when you want the stronger safety signal (59/100). Otherwise, Orlando's case rests on a Orlando ZIP you trust at $1,747 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Orlando and Lexington, plus other cities in FL and KY.
