Lexington KY vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 69.9% | 36.1% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $60,698 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $37,669 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 8.4% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 22.0% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 34.6% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 52.3% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 319 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1613 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 57.1°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 48.5 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 34.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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