Retiring in Lexington, KY

Retirement city profile: climate, cost of living, healthcare, safety and more

86°/28°

Climate (Summer/Winter)

269.1

Safety (Violent Crime/100,000)

Is Lexington Right for Your Retirement?

With a reported population of 321,122, Lexington offers a mid-size city setting for retirement planning. This profile brings its climate, housing, reported crime, healthcare access, walkability and natural hazard exposure into one view so you can evaluate the tradeoffs.

Potential Strengths

Lower violent crime
Low hurricane risk
Low wildfire risk

Potential Tradeoffs

Hot summers
Wet climate
Higher property crime
Elevated tornado risk
Elevated ice storms risk

Potential advantages. The reported violent crime rate is 269.1 per 100,000, 25% below the 359.1 per 100,000 US median. FEMA and NOAA assign lower risk designations to hurricane and wildfire.

Potential tradeoffs. The average June through August high is 86°F. Annual precipitation is 49.8 inches. The reported property crime rate is 2304.4 per 100,000, 31% above the 1760.1 per 100,000 US median. FEMA and NOAA assign elevated risk designations to tornado and ice storms.

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Climate

Summer high (Jun-Aug avg)86°F

Winter low (Dec-Feb avg)28°F

Annual snowfall14.5"

Annual precipitation49.8"

Housing & Cost of Living

Typical home value (ZHVI)Not available

Median gross rent$1,101/mo21% below the $1,400/mo US median

Safety (Reported Crime)

Violent crime rate269.1 /100,00025% below the 359.1 /100,000 US median

Property crime rate2304.4 /100,00031% above the 1760.1 /100,000 US median

Motor vehicle theft rate284 /100,000

Healthcare Access

Nearest hospitalUk Healthcare Good Samaritan Hospital (2 mi)

Hospital qualityNot Rated (CMS)

Primary care accessStrong (832 residents/physician)

Walkability

EPA Walkability Index11.1/20 (Above Average)

Population & City Size

Population321,122Classified as a mid-size city

Elevation1,056 ft

Natural Disaster Risk

Riverine floodingRelatively Moderate

Coastal floodingN/A

TornadoRelatively High

HurricaneVery Low

WildfireVery Low

EarthquakeRelatively Moderate

Ice stormsRelatively High

TsunamiN/A

Sources & Freshness

Crime: FBI UCR/NIBRS · Climate: NOAA Climate Normals · Natural disaster risk: FEMA National Risk Index & NOAA · Hospital location & distance: HIFLD · Hospital quality rating: CMS Hospital Compare · Primary care access: HRSA county-level provider data · Home value: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) · Rent: Census ACS place-level data · Population & elevation: US Census Bureau · Walkability: EPA National Walkability Index.
National median/average figures used for comparison (home value, rent, crime, precipitation) are recalculated annually from the same source datasets above.
Data last refreshed: August 2026.
Figures are comparative indicators and may not reflect neighborhood-level conditions. Confirm current housing, healthcare and hazard information with the cited sources before making a relocation decision.

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