Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.2 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 11.0% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 20.4% | 14.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.2% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 9.2% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $52,606 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $332,727 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 53.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 45.2 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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