Lexington KY vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 275,568 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 69.9% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 14.4% | 7.1% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 16.2% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $429,253 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 46.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Madison
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 309 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Madison
7.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Madison
7.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, 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 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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