Lexington KY vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 26,509 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.7 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 7.1% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 14.4% | 3.6% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 3.9% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $344,633 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Rochester
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 284 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1992 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Rochester
14.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Rochester
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 28.3 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, 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 284 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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