Lexington KY vs Mount Vernon NY — 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%
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 72,528 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 41.9 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 69.9% | 16.2% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Mount Vernon
35.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $42,158 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.9% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 35.0% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $579,771 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 42.1% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Mount Vernon
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Mount Vernon
1736
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 434 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1736 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Mount Vernon
16.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Mount Vernon
12.8%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Mount Vernon, NY | 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
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 38.6 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, 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 434 in Mount Vernon. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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