Lexington KY vs Long Beach CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Long Beach
41.6%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Long Beach
11.9%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 458,491 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.8 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 24.7% | Long Beach + |
| White | 69.9% | 41.6% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 11.9% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 43.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Long Beach
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Long Beach
34.8%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $83,969 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $42,370 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,230 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.5% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 15.0% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 34.8% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Long Beach
40.9%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $862,599 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 40.9% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Long Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Long Beach
2388
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 503 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2388 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Long Beach
27.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Long Beach
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Long Beach
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Long Beach
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Long Beach
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Long Beach
11.9%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Long Beach
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 64.7°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 12.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 32.6 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, 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 Long Beach. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Lexington, KY vs New York, NYLexington, KY vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lexington, KYHouston, TX vs Lexington, KYLexington, KY vs Phoenix, AZLexington, KY vs Philadelphia, PA