Kansas City MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
508,233
Kansas City +
Lexington
321,122
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 321,122 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 57.8% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 25.8% | 14.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 9.2% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $52,606 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 15.7% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $332,727 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 53.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 55.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 45.2 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 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 $253,319. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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