City comparison
Yes. Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 102 in Lexington, and its violent crime index is 112 versus 72, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lexington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,164 a month versus $1,701 in Tampa.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Tampa and Lexington. Tampa averages 75°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 $1,701 versus $1,164.
Tampa is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Lexington makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Tampa is the stronger move.
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
Tampa and Lexington are 704 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,701 a month in Tampa to $1,164 a month in Lexington, down $537 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $75,475 in Tampa to $69,479 in Lexington, down $5,996 (8%).
The crime index goes from 93 in Tampa to 102 in Lexington, up 9 points (10%).
The move
Lexington and Tampa are 704 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,164 a month in Lexington to $1,701 a month in Tampa, up $537 a month (46%).
Median household income goes from $69,479 in Lexington to $75,475 in Tampa, up $5,996 (9%).
The crime index goes from 102 in Lexington to 93 in Tampa, down 9 points (9%).
Tampa, 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 Tampa and Lexington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
Lexington rent is 32% cheaper than Tampa
Tampa
$1,701/mo
Lexington
Winner$1,164/mo
Typical rent runs $1,164 a month in Lexington versus $1,701 in Tampa, so Lexington is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $537/month back in your pocket ($6,444/year). Over five years that's $32,220 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 Tampa, 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 Tampa? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
9% higher
Tampa's median income is 9% higher than Lexington
Tampa
Winner$75,475
Lexington
$69,479
Median household income is $75,475 in Tampa versus $69,479 in Lexington, so typical pay runs 9% higher in Tampa (about $5,996 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
9% lower crime
Tampa's crime index is 9% lower than Lexington
Tampa
Winner93 (100 = avg)
Lexington
102 (100 = avg)
Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 102 in Lexington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 9% lower in Tampa. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Tampa, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Lexington. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
56% more comfortable
Tampa weather is 56% more comfortable than Lexington
Tampa
Winner75°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Lexington
52°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 64/100
Tampa averages about 75°F (83°F highs); Lexington averages about 52°F (63°F highs). Tampa sits near 75°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Lexington averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Tampa scores 56% 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 9% higher ($75,475), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 75°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Tampa is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 9% lower than Lexington (93 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.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Lexington
Lexington is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 32% 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.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Lexington at $1,164/month versus $1,701 in Tampa ($537 apart). Tampa median income is $75,475 against $69,479 in Lexington, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Lexington rent at $1,164/month is still below Tampa's $1,701, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 62/100 in Tampa and 59/100 in Lexington.
If housing cost drives your move, Lexington is the stronger match ($1,164/month rent against $1,701). If an employer or family tie already points to Tampa, treat $1,701/month rent and $75,475 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
Ready to move to Tampa?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Tampa when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tampa and Lexington, plus other cities in FL and KY.
