Lexington KY vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 229,228 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 6.1% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 14.4% | 2.7% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.9% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 7.8% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $65,745 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $38,200 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 32.6% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $400,636 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 383 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 3409 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Spokane
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 22.6 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, 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 383 in Spokane. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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