Lexington KY vs Pasadena TX — 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 125,983 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.5 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 69.9% | 45.5% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 442 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2339 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Pasadena, TX | 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
Lexington +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 36.1 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 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