Lexington KY vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Peoria
194,338
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Peoria
11.3%
Peoria +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 194,338 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 42.1 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 11.3% | Peoria + |
| White | 69.9% | 72.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 14.4% | 3.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 5.8% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 19.7% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Peoria
$59,120
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Peoria
35.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $45,831 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $59,120 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 35.5% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $488,428 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Peoria
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Peoria
2150
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 450 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2150 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Peoria
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Peoria
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Peoria
14.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Peoria
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Peoria
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Peoria
10.6%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Peoria, AZ | 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
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 31.2 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, 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 450 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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