Albany NY vs Lexington KY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Albany
53.0%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 11.0% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 26.6% | 14.4% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 4.2% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 9.2% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $52,606 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $332,727 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 55.6°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 45.2 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.5 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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