Cary NC 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)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
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
Cary
176,686
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Cary
60.1%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 11.0% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 7.6% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 4.2% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 9.2% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $67,631 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $42,272 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $52,606 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.0% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 15.7% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 47.3% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 53.6% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, 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 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Cary, NC vs New York, NYCary, NC vs Los Angeles, CACary, NC vs Chicago, ILCary, NC vs Houston, TXCary, NC vs Phoenix, AZCary, NC vs Philadelphia, PA