Lexington KY vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 10.8% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 36.5% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $51,888 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $29,679 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 23.3% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 26.6% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 41.5% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Milwaukee
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 309 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Milwaukee, 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
Lexington +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 24.1 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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