City comparison
No. Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 183 in San Francisco, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $2,476 in San Francisco.
The income gap between San Francisco and Lexington is significant: $140,970 median household versus $69,479. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,476 in San Francisco and $1,164 in Lexington.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Lexington costs less and San Francisco 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
San Francisco and Lexington are 2,055 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $1,312 a month (53%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $69,479 in Lexington, down $71,491 (51%).
The crime index goes from 183 in San Francisco to 102 in Lexington, down 81 points (44%).
The move
Lexington and San Francisco are 2,055 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, up $1,312 a month (113%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $71,491 (103%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 183 in San Francisco, up 81 points (79%).
San Francisco, CA
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 San Francisco and Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
53% cheaper
Lexington rent is 53% cheaper than San Francisco
San Francisco
$2,476/mo
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $2,476 in San Francisco, so Lexington is 53% cheaper. That's roughly $1,312/month back in your pocket ($15,744/year). Over five years that's $78,720 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 San Francisco, 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
103% higher
San Francisco's median income is 103% higher than Lexington
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
Lexington
$69,479
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 103% higher in San Francisco (about $71,491 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, San Francisco 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
44% lower crime
Lexington's crime index is 44% lower than San Francisco
San Francisco
183 (100 = avg)
Lexington
Winner102 (100 = avg)
Lexington's crime index is 102 versus 183 in San Francisco (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. San Francisco can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
45% more comfortable
San Francisco weather is 45% more comfortable than Lexington
San Francisco
Winner65°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lexington
54°F avg · 64°F highs · comfort 69/100
San Francisco averages about 65°F (73°F highs); Lexington averages about 54°F (64°F highs). San Francisco sits near 65°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. San Francisco 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 103% higher ($140,970), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 65°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 53% 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 44% lower than San Francisco (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
Housing separates these metros first: $1,164/month in Lexington versus $2,476 in San Francisco. Median income reads $69,479 in Lexington and $140,970 in San Francisco, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Lexington rent at $1,164/month is still below San Francisco's $2,476, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 42/100 in San Francisco and 59/100 in Lexington.
Lexington clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. San Francisco deserves a serious look only when your $140,970 income offer in San Francisco outweighs saving $1,312/month in Lexington.
Common questions
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