Lexington KY vs McKinney TX — 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%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
McKinney
148,848
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
McKinney
3.0%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 148,848 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 33.4 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 21.0% | McKinney + |
| White | 69.9% | 37.8% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 24.7% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.0% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 44.7% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $71,843 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $29,291 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $63,758 | McKinney + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.8% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 18.5% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $487,346 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
McKinney
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
McKinney
2339
| Metric | Lexington, KY | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 442 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2339 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
McKinney
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
McKinney
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
McKinney
15.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
McKinney
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
McKinney
9.9%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
McKinney
40.0 in
McKinney +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 64.2°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 40.0 in | McKinney + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
McKinney
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 35.6 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, 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 442 in McKinney. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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