Dallas 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Lexington
321,122
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 321,122 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.2 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 11.0% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 23.7% | 14.4% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 9.2% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $67,631 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $42,272 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $52,606 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $332,727 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Dallas, 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
Dallas
36.8%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 45.2 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Dallas, 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
Dallas
28.3 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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