Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Lexington
321,122
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 321,122 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 11.0% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 28.4% | 14.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 4.2% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 9.2% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $67,631 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $42,272 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $52,606 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $332,727 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 55.6°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 45.2 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. 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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