Lexington KY vs Moreno Valley CA — 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%
Moreno Valley, CA
California · Population: 210,378
- Median HH Income$87,477
- Median Home Price$552,845
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+17.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Moreno Valley
210,378
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Moreno Valley +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 210,378 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 32.1 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 23.9% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 69.9% | 22.4% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 17.6% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 5.5% | Moreno Valley + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 59.7% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Moreno Valley +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Moreno Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Moreno Valley
17.3%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $87,477 | Moreno Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $28,255 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,230 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.4% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 11.8% | Moreno Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 17.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Moreno Valley +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $552,845 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 62.8% | Moreno Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Moreno Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Moreno Valley
2388
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 503 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2388 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Moreno Valley
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Moreno Valley
12.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Moreno Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Moreno Valley
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Moreno Valley, CA | 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
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Moreno Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Moreno Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Moreno Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 36.9 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Moreno Valley leads in median household income at $87,477, 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 503 in Moreno Valley. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Moreno Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Lexington, KY vs New York, NYLexington, KY vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lexington, KYHouston, TX vs Lexington, KYLexington, KY vs Phoenix, AZLexington, KY vs Philadelphia, PA