Lexington KY vs New York 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
New York
35.9%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.0 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 69.9% | 35.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
New York
41.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.7% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 17.4% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 41.0% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $816,078 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 32.8% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
New York
1736
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New York, 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
New York
25.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
New York
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New York
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
New York
11.4%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 46.6 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 44.2 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 New York. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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