Lexington KY vs San Marcos TX — 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
San Marcos
35.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 99,507 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 5.8% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 66.6% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 4.3% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.4% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $64,146 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $33,835 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 24.9% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Lexington, KY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 442 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2339 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
San Marcos
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 22.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 68.5°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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