Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Lexington
321,122
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 321,122 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.2 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 39.9% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 46.9% | 14.4% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 4.2% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Atlanta +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $67,631 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $42,272 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $52,606 | Atlanta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 47.3% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, 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 392 in Atlanta. 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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