Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 77.1% | 69.9% | Evansville + |
| Black | 13.5% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Evansville +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $52,606 | Evansville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Evansville +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Evansville +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $332,727 | Evansville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 53.6% | Evansville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 22.5 min | Evansville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while evansville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,657. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Evansville. 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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