Glendale AZ 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)
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
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
Glendale
271,118
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Glendale +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,118 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 9.6% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 72.7% | 69.9% | Glendale + |
| Black | 3.4% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 4.2% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 17.5% | 9.2% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Glendale +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,351 | $67,631 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,825 | $42,272 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $52,606 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 5.0% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 15.7% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.5% | 47.3% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,630 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 53.6% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, 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 450 in Glendale. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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