Lexington KY vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 303,620 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 9.3% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 63.7% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $64,137 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 19.5% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 47.2% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Pittsburgh
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Pittsburgh
1613
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 25.0 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Pittsburgh. 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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