Lexington KY vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Palm Bay
59.2%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 125,273 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 41.3 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 69.9% | 59.2% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.1% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $67,521 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $34,474 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 22.6% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Palm Bay
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 324 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Palm Bay
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 29.6 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Palm Bay. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Lexington, KY vs New York, NYLexington, KY vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lexington, KYHouston, TX vs Lexington, KYLexington, KY vs Phoenix, AZLexington, KY vs Philadelphia, PA