Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Lexington
321,122
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 321,122 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 35.2 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 11.0% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 14.4% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 4.2% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 9.2% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $67,631 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $52,606 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 15.7% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $332,727 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 53.6% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 45.2 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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