Lexington KY vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 114,799 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.5 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 69.9% | 50.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 10.8% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $36,138 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.4% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 16.0% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 29.9% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $484,226 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 44.0% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 326 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Lowell
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Lowell
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 47.0 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 30.1 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, 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 326 in Lowell. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 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