Lexington KY vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 227,595 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 8.6% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 43.2% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.1% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Richmond
44.1%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $62,671 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 18.8% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 44.1% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $374,265 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 43.5% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Richmond
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Richmond
1726
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 240 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1726 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 58.9°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 23.6 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, 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 240 in Richmond. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 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