Davenport IA 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)
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Davenport
101,083
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Davenport
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Davenport
37.8
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Davenport
4.6%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Davenport
75.9%
Davenport +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Davenport
11.2%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Davenport
1.9%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Davenport
9.1%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Davenport
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,083 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 75.9% | 69.9% | Davenport + |
| Black | 11.2% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Davenport
$64,497
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Davenport
$36,583
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Davenport
$61,226
Davenport +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Davenport
4.8%
Davenport +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Davenport
15.6%
Davenport +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Davenport
30.0%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,497 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,583 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $52,606 | Davenport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.0% | Davenport + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 15.7% | Davenport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Davenport
63.0%
Davenport +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,117 | $332,727 | Davenport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 53.6% | Davenport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
296
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
Lexington
1505
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1505 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
42.6%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
11.7%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Davenport
17.8%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Davenport
8.2%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Davenport
21.1%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Davenport
16.2%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
49.3°F
Davenport +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
36.0 in
Davenport +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.3°F | 55.6°F | Davenport + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.0 in | 45.2 in | Davenport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Davenport
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Davenport
20.4 min
Davenport +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 22.5 min | Davenport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Davenport. Davenport has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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