Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Lexington
321,122
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 321,122 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.2 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 11.0% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 28.1% | 14.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 9.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Lexington
15.7%
Tie
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $52,606 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 15.7% | Tie |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $332,727 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 45.2 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. 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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