Lexington KY vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 39.7 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 69.9% | 40.5% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 5.1% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.6% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $1,369,171 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 38.5% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Lexington, KY | San Francisco, 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
San Francisco
17.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
San Francisco
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
San Francisco
14.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
San Francisco
6.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
San Francisco
9.1%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 55.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 33.9 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 San Francisco. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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