Lexington KY vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.7 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 69.9% | 36.8% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 12.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.2% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 36.4% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $480,548 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 51.5% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 503 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2388 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sacramento
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sacramento
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sacramento
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sacramento
11.9%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 61.0°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 27.0 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 503 in Sacramento. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 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