Lexington KY vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Overland Park
143,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Overland Park
36.6
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Overland Park
10.7%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Overland Park
4.9%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Overland Park
4.2%
Overland Park +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Overland Park
12.6%
Overland Park +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 143,720 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.6 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 10.7% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 14.4% | 4.9% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.2% | Overland Park + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 12.6% | Overland Park + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $48,655 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $61,860 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 49.4% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Overland Park
$487,466
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $487,466 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Overland Park
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Overland Park
2174
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 449 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2174 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Overland Park
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Overland Park
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Overland Park
12.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Overland Park
6.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Overland Park
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Overland Park
9.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Overland Park
22.4 min
Overland Park +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 22.4 min | Overland Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, 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 449 in Overland Park. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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