Lexington KY vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.6 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 69.9% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 14.4% | 5.8% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.5% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $538,687 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 52.8% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 355 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 3001 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Portland
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 78.3 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 26.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. 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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