Lexington KY vs Murrieta 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%
Murrieta, CA
California · Population: 84,304
- Median HH Income$158,461
- Median Home Price$690,322
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+69.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Murrieta
10.1%
Murrieta +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 84,304 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 46.0 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 69.9% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 14.4% | 0.7% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 10.1% | Murrieta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Murrieta
53.1%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $690,322 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 53.1% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Murrieta, 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
Murrieta
33.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Murrieta
10.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Murrieta
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Murrieta
7.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Murrieta
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Murrieta
10.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Murrieta, 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
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Murrieta
24.9 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 24.9 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, 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 Murrieta. Murrieta has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Murrieta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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