Escondido CA 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 11.0% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 0.6% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 4.2% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 9.2% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $52,606 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 45.2 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, 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 503 in Escondido. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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