Las Vegas NV 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)
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
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
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Lexington
321,122
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 321,122 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 11.0% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 11.9% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 9.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $67,631 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $52,606 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 15.7% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 53.6% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 45.2 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³).
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