Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Lexington
321,122
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Lexington
11.0%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 321,122 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 69.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 9.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $67,631 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $42,272 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $52,606 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 47.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $332,727 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 53.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 55.6°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 45.2 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 22.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Grand Island. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³).
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