Denver CO 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Lexington
321,122
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Lexington
35.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Denver
62.9%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 321,122 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 11.0% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 8.8% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 9.2% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $67,631 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $42,272 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $52,606 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.0% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 15.7% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 47.3% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 45.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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