Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 35.2 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 11.0% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 21.6% | 14.4% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 9.2% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $52,606 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.0% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 47.3% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $332,727 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Lexington
1505
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1505 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 22.5 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Gainesville, FL vs New York, NYGainesville, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Gainesville, FLGainesville, FL vs Houston, TXGainesville, FL vs Phoenix, AZGainesville, FL vs Philadelphia, PA