Lexington KY vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 124,865 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.4 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 4.8% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 14.4% | 1.6% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.1% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Meridian
$57,074
Meridian +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $57,074 | Meridian + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 44.4% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $534,732 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Meridian
251
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 251 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Meridian
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Meridian
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Meridian
10.3%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 23.6 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, 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 251 in Meridian. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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