Lexington KY vs Salem 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Salem
69.8%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 176,666 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.7 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 69.9% | 69.8% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 1.6% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.5% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $36,477 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.3% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 31.4% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $438,754 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Salem, 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
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Salem, 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 +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 24.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, 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 Salem. 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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