Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Durham
44.0%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.2 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 11.0% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 34.4% | 14.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 9.2% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $67,631 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $42,272 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $52,606 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.0% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 15.7% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 47.3% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, 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 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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