El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Lexington
321,122
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Lexington
11.0%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 321,122 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.2 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 11.0% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 3.6% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 9.2% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $52,606 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $332,727 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 53.6% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
33.8%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 45.2 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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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