Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Lexington
321,122
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Houston
35.5%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 321,122 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.2 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 11.0% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 22.9% | 14.4% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.2% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 9.2% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $52,606 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $332,727 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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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