Lexington KY vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Orem
10.5%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 86,973 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 10.5% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 14.4% | 1.9% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.6% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $33,579 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 25.6% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $509,396 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Orem
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 245 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1931 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Orem
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Orem
7.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Orem
8.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Orem
6.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 24.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, 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 245 in Orem. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³).
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