Alexandria VA 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)
Alexandria, VA
Virginia · Population: 156,788
- Median HH Income$113,638
- Median Home Price$679,447
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+65.8%
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
Alexandria
156,788
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 11.0% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 21.1% | 14.4% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 4.2% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 9.2% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $67,631 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $42,272 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $52,606 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.0% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 15.7% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 47.3% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Alexandria +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Alexandria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Alexandria. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Alexandria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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