Lexington KY vs Plano 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Plano
287,339
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 287,339 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 39.3 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 69.9% | 53.2% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 9.0% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $507,575 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Plano, 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
Plano
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Plano
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Plano
14.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Plano
8.8%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Plano, 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Plano, 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 +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 27.6 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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