Lexington KY vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 132,893 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 69.9% | 36.8% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
New Haven
37.7%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $53,771 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $34,482 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.7% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 25.0% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 37.7% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $330,564 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 28.4% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
New Haven
1524
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1524 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New Haven
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New Haven
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New Haven
13.2%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 52.2°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 47.1 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
New Haven
23.0 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 23.0 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 223 in Lexington. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 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