Lexington KY vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Miami
13.7%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 39.7 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 69.9% | 34.2% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 13.7% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.6% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Miami
$59,390
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Miami
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Miami
35.6%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $59,390 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 19.2% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 35.6% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $580,996 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 30.7% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Miami
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 324 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Miami
29.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Miami
15.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Miami
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Miami
12.3%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 75.8°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 64.1 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 29.9 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, 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 324 in Miami. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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