Lexington KY vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 307,188 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 69.9% | 16.5% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.9% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $48,416 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $25,509 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 10.9% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 24.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 17.4% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $482,675 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 24.1% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 46.3 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 35.9 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 223 in Lexington. 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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