Irving 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)
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
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
Irving
255,036
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irving
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Irving
36.7%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Irving
12.9%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Irving
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 35.2 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 41.9% | 11.0% | Irving + |
| White | 36.7% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 12.9% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 4.2% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 43.0% | 9.2% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Irving
$39,462
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irving
$63,758
Irving +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irving
41.6%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,641 | $67,631 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,462 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $52,606 | Irving + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.0% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 15.7% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.6% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irving
$344,888
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Irving
38.3%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,888 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.3% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
442
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
2339
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Irving, 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
Irving
31.6%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
10.5%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irving
16.2%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irving
20.6%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irving
17.0%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irving
11.2%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Irving, TX | 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.)
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irving
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Irving, 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
Irving
26.0 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, 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 442 in Irving. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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