City comparison
No. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 142 in Raleigh, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 128, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $1,572 in Raleigh.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Raleigh and Lexington. Raleigh averages 60°F while Lexington averages 52°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,572 versus $1,164.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lexington costs less and Raleigh 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
Raleigh and Lexington are 357 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $408 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $69,479 in Lexington, down $15,916 (19%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 102 in Lexington, down 40 points (28%).
The move
Lexington and Raleigh are 357 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, up $408 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $15,916 (23%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 142 in Raleigh, up 40 points (39%).
Raleigh, NC
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 Raleigh and Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
Lexington rent is 26% cheaper than Raleigh
Raleigh
$1,572/mo
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $1,572 in Raleigh, so Lexington is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $408/month back in your pocket ($4,896/year). Over five years that's $24,480 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 Raleigh, 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
23% higher
Raleigh's median income is 23% higher than Lexington
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Lexington
$69,479
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 23% higher in Raleigh (about $15,916 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, Raleigh 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
28% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 28% lower than Raleigh
Raleigh
142 (100 = avg)
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 142 in Raleigh (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. Raleigh can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
34% more comfortable
Raleigh weather is 34% more comfortable than Lexington
Raleigh
Winner60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Lexington
52°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 64/100
Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs); Lexington averages about 52°F (63°F highs). Raleigh averages around 60°F. Lexington averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Raleigh scores 34% 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 23% higher ($85,395), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 60°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 26% 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 Raleigh (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
Rent is the clearest fork: Lexington at $1,164/month versus $1,572 in Raleigh ($408 apart). Raleigh median income is $85,395 against $69,479 in Lexington, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Safety still diverges (59/100 in Lexington vs 49/100 in Raleigh), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 60°F in Raleigh and 52°F in Lexington.
Pick Lexington when shaving $408 off rent at $1,164/month is the priority. Otherwise, Raleigh's case rests on $1,572/month rent with $85,395 local income.
Common questions
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