Lexington KY vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Louisville
63.1%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.7 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 9.8% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 63.1% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.6% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 8.6% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Louisville
$52,606
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $64,731 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $38,890 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $52,606 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 16.1% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 33.4% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Louisville
223
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Louisville
1505
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 223 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1505 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 24.2 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 223 in Lexington. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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