Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.2 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 11.0% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 7.4% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 4.2% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 9.2% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $67,631 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $42,272 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $52,606 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 47.3% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 45.2 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Berkeley, CA vs New York, NYBerkeley, CA vs Los Angeles, CABerkeley, CA vs Chicago, ILBerkeley, CA vs Houston, TXBerkeley, CA vs Phoenix, AZBerkeley, CA vs Philadelphia, PA