Lexington KY vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 268,959 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.3 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 69.9% | 63.5% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 3.2% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 35.7% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $570,934 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 49.4% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 460 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2417 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Lexington, KY vs New York, NYLexington, KY vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lexington, KYHouston, TX vs Lexington, KYLexington, KY vs Phoenix, AZLexington, KY vs Philadelphia, PA