Lexington KY vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 198,440 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 5.5% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 27.7% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.3% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 4.8% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Lexington +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $55,687 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $32,068 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $51,690 | Lexington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.5% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 20.9% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 33.5% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Montgomery
1734
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 400 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1734 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Montgomery
12.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 46.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 64.5°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 52.8 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. 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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