Lexington KY vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.0 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 12.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 69.9% | 58.4% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 13.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 21.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Oklahoma City +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Oklahoma City
34.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $66,702 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $37,109 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $57,929 | Oklahoma City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 34.0% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Oklahoma City
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Oklahoma City
2375
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 429 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2375 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Oklahoma City
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Oklahoma City
14.9%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 23.6 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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