Lexington KY vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 69.9% | 53.7% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 7.8% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.9% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $40,309 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.1% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 32.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $411,323 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Phoenix, 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
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 72.1°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 27.7 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 Phoenix. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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