Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Lexington
321,122
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Austin
59.9%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 321,122 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.2 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 11.0% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 7.5% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 4.2% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 9.2% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $67,631 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $42,272 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $52,606 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.0% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 15.7% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 47.3% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 45.2 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Austin, TX vs New York, NYAustin, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAustin, TX vs Chicago, ILAustin, TX vs Houston, TXAustin, TX vs Phoenix, AZAustin, TX vs Philadelphia, PA