Fort Worth 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)
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
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
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Lexington
321,122
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Fort Worth +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 321,122 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.2 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 11.0% | Fort Worth + |
| White | 47.7% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 19.5% | 14.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 4.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 9.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Fort Worth +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $67,631 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $52,606 | Fort Worth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 15.7% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $332,727 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 53.6% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Fort Worth, 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
Fort Worth
34.6%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Fort Worth +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 45.2 in | Fort Worth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Fort Worth, 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
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Fort Worth. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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