Irvine CA 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 35.2 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 11.0% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 2.0% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 4.2% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 9.2% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $67,631 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $42,272 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $52,606 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 15.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 47.3% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 45.2 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 503 in Irvine. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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