Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Lexington
321,122
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 321,122 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.2 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 11.7% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 76.8% | 14.4% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $52,606 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $332,727 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 55.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 45.2 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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