Lexington KY vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.4 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 6.6% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 31.6% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.8% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 7.9% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
New Orleans
$55,297
New Orleans +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
New Orleans
41.9%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $55,339 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $39,698 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $55,297 | New Orleans + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.8% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 22.6% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 41.9% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 50.5% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 643 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2824 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New Orleans
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 66.6 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 24.6 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. 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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