Lexington KY vs Medford OR — 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%
Medford, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$410,269
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Medford
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Medford
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Medford
N/A
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Medford
N/A
White
Lexington
69.9%
Medford
N/A
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Medford
N/A
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Medford
N/A
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Medford
N/A
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 69.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 14.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Medford
$63,691
Medford +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Medford
N/A
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Medford
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $63,691 | Medford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Medford
$410,269
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $410,269 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Medford
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Medford
3001
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 355 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 3001 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Medford
33.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Medford
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Medford
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Medford
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Medford
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Medford
13.6%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Medford
55.6°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Medford
18.4 in
Medford +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 55.6°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 18.4 in | Medford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Medford
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
Medford
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 355 in Medford. Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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